Neuroendocrine Tumor of the Cystic Duct: A Rare and Incidental Diagnosis

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), also known as carcinoid tumors of the extrahepatic biliary tree, are extremely rare malignancies and account for 0.2% to 2% of all carcinoids of the gastrointestinal tract. The most common sites include NET in the common bile duct (CBD), followed by the perihilar region, cystic duct, and common hepatic duct (CHD). A review of the literature showed only eight cases of NETs of the cystic duct and we, hereby, present the ninth case of NET of the cystic duct in a 50-year-old woman. This was discovered incidentally after she underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy for her symptomatic gallbladder stones. The etiology is not known but the NETs are thought to arise from argentaffin cells (Kulchitsky cells) in the gastrointestinal tract or respiratory tract. It is possible that the rarity of these in this region may be explained by the very limited number of Kulchitsky cells there. Most of the patients are clinically asymptomatic, and the diagnosis is mostly made during surgery performed for other indications. Therefore, early recognition should be sought by differentiating the primary duct carcinoma of the bile or the cystic duct, if suspected or shown on the imaging studies because of the different therapeutic options and prognosis.

Gallbladder Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: A Rare Endocrine Tumor

“…Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) are a group of neoplasms that can arise in various organs such as gastrointestinal tract, lungs, thyroid that usually have predominate neuroendocrine differentiation. Incidence of neuroendocrine tumors is about 5.25/100,000 [3]. Gallbladder NETs only comprise 5% of those [4].…”

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of gallbladder: a case series and literature review

“…Neuroendocrine tumor (NET) is a rare neoplasm with the incidence of about 5.25 per 100,000 [1]. It has been found in many organs, such as gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and thyroid.…”

“…Anus, jejunum, ileum, and pancreas are commonly involved in gastrointestinal tract, while gallbladder involvement is rarely reported [2]. According to a survey from 1973 to 2005 by “Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result (SEER)” program hosted by National Cancer Institute, the incidence of gallbladder NET was less than 0.74/100,000 [1]. As a kind of poorly differentiated NET, neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of gallbladder is even less.…”

“…As a kind of poorly differentiated NET, neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of gallbladder is even less. It occupied only 0.2% of all gastrointestinal NECs [1]. Due to the low morbidity, the clinical manifestation, management, and prognosis were rarely described.…”

Rare Case of Gallbladder Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

“…Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are a form of neoplasia that has previously been described with an incidence of 5.25 per 100,000 [1]. NETs of the gastrointestinal tract have been previously well described, commonly occurring in the jejunum, anus, appendix, and pancreas [2].…”