Small Cell Carcinoma of the Gallbladder: Case Report and Comprehensive Analysis of Published Cases

Abstract

Background. Gallbladder small cell carcinoma is a rare and highly aggressive malignancy with no established standard of care treatment. We described here a case report of small cell gallbladder cancer and we then performed a comprehensive review of 72 case reports of this disease. Methods. Published case reports of small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder between 1983 and 2014 were reviewed. Treatment modalities and survival were analyzed for metastatic and localized disease. Results. Median overall survival for all patients was 13 months. Metastatic disease was identified in 72% of cases. Treatment of metastatic disease with chemotherapy showed a significant survival benefit (p < 0.001) compared to no chemotherapy, and the use of platinum doublet with etoposide showed a nonsignificant 4-month improvement in survival compared to other chemotherapy regimens (p = 0.13). Adjuvant therapy did not demonstrate an improvement of median overall survival in local disease (p = 0.78). Conclusion. Given the limited available data, systemic therapy with platinum and etoposide should be considered for patients with metastatic small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder. Adjuvant chemoradiation or chemotherapy for treatment of local disease warrants further investigation.

Clinicopathological features and survival for gallbladder NEN: a population-based study

“…A few case reports have been published on the different histologic types of GB-NEN, including neuroendocrine carcinoma, LCNEC, SCC, MANEC, carcinoid tumors, and atypical carcinoid tumors (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19). A previous study of GB-NEN cases from the SEER database between 2000 and 2005 reported that among 105 GB-NEN cases, 1% were LCNEC, 30.5% were SCC, 32.4% were carcinoid tumors, 34.3% were neuroendocrine carcinoma, and 1.9% were MANEC (7).…”

Incidental small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder—an unexpected finding at elective cholecystectomy

“…Most of SCC cases present late because patients usually present with vague or non-specific symptoms which may be attributed to gallstones disease. Prognosis of SCC is poor with a median overall survival of 13 months mainly due to the late presentation of patients [ 8 ].…”

An unusual presentation of carcinoma in gallbladder

“…[12] SmCC is seen in older patients and is more common in females. [13] The overall survival in one of the largest meta-analyses of these cases is reported to be 13 months. [13] The cytomorphology is diagnostic and IHC is required for confirmation.…”