Neuroendocrine Tumour of the Gallbladder Diagnosed after Cholecystectomy

Abstract

Gallbladder cancer is a rare but aggressive malignancy. Neuroendocrine tumour of the gallbladder make up 2-3% of all the gallbladder tumour.

A 67-year female patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy because of symptomatic cholelithiasis and the histopathology revealed a neuroendocrine tumour of the gallbladder, stage pT2a. The patient's imaging study for metastasis workup were normal. A radical cholecystectomy procedure was planned as the tumour stage was pT2a. Postoperative chemotherapy and/ or radiotherapy were recommended. The patient, who had comorbidities, was refused both surgery and other treatment alternatives. The patient's one-year clinical, laboratory, and radiological follow-up did not reveal any findings of recurrence or metastasis.

There is no standardised staging system for neuroendocrine tumours of the gallbladder since the number of such cases is quite limited. Guidelines are also insufficient. Multi-centred and large studies are needed in order to develop standardisation in treatment, prognosis, and factors affecting survival.