Gallbladder Papillary Carcinoma, The Difficulty of Early Detection: A Case Report

Abstract

Gallbladder carcinoma is the sixth most common malignant tumour of the gastrointestinal tract and the most frequent malignant neoplasm of the biliary tract. Papillary carcinomas are uncommon neoplasm’s, representing nearly 5–12% of all malignant gallbladder tumours. Evidence accumulated in the last 20 years indicates that papillary carcinomas of the gallbladder are associated with a better prognosis than conventional nonpapillary carcinomas.We report our experience with gallbladder papillary carcinoma incidentally diagnosed during and after cholecystectomy performed for cholelithiasis.A 52-year-old women presented with right upper abdominal pain and nausea/vomiting. Ultrasonography and contrast computed tomography demonstrated multiple stones in gallbladder and common bile duct with no likelihood of being polyps or gallbladder neoplasm or metastasis. Gross examination of the gallbladder macroscopically, reveals enlargement of gallbladder approx. 12 cm×5.5 cm×4.4 cm with smooth surfaces. On cutting open, the gallbladder was seen to be studded with polypoidal nodules over the entire mucosa with granular/papillary excrescences. Histopathological impression: Papillary adenocarcinoma-low grade (TNM-pT1b pNx).The presented case demonstrates the difficulty of diagnosing Gallbladder carcinoma preoperatively.Therefore, every suspected cholecystectomy specimen should be examined histopathologically to detect possible incidental carcinomas.

Keywords: Cholecystectomy, incidental carcinoma, papillary carcinoma, histopathology

Cite this Article

Saiyad Shah Alam, Junaid Nazir Dandroo, Mehjabeen Fatimah. Gallbladder Papillary Carcinoma, The Difficulty of Early Detection: A Case Report. Research & Reviews: Journal of Surgery. 2017; 6(3): 12–16p.