Neuroendocrine Tumor of the Gallbladder, a Rare Incidental Finding

Abstract

Background Neuroendocrine tumors are a rare finding in the gallbladder. The incidence of this entity in the gallbladder is roughly 1.13 cases per 100,000 in the US, with a steady increase in the last decade. Gallbladder neuroendocrine tumors are generally asymptomatic; the majority of cases have been reported as incidental findings in specimens, resected due to secondary symptomatology, such as chronic cholecystitis. Treatment strategies are limited, in part due to the often advanced stage in which this disease presents. Furthermore, there is a restricted utility of diagnostic tools for early detection; these factors contribute to the poor prognosis of this disease process.

Effective treatment of gallbladder neuroendocrine carcinoma with nivolumab

“…There are no symptoms specific to GB‐NENs. The most common symptom is right upper quadrant pain, which may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and a positive Murphy's sign 10,19–23 . Some patients also present with weight loss and anorexia 23 .…”

“…The most common symptom is right upper quadrant pain, which may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and a positive Murphy's sign. 10 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 Some patients also present with weight loss and anorexia. 23 There were no subjective symptoms or significant physical findings in this patient.…”

Gallbladder primary well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor: A misdiagnosed case

“…Neuroendocrine Tumors (NET) are extremely rare but their incidence continues to increase, due to increased awareness among radiologists and pathologists and advances in their diagnostic tools [ 7 ]. They occur mainly in the gastrointestinal tract.…”