A Case of Small Cell Carcinoma of Gallbladder / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Carcinoma of the gallbladder is relatively rare malignancy usually found in an elderly, predominantly female population. Histologically, adenocarcinoma predominate, with only 10% to 15% being of other varieties(small cell carcinoma and others). Small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder is a rare lesion and predominantly a disease of older women with clinical history of stones. These tumors show an aggressive clinical course and death usually occurs with in a few months of the diagnosis. The diagnosis of small cell carcinoma should be based on cell morphology, histologic pattern and immunohistochemical study. Correct diagnosis is important not only because these tumors give rise to endocrine syndromes, but also because the chemotherapeutic approach to small cell carcinoma differs from that for adenocarcinoma.