Neuroendocrine carcinoma of gallbladder: a report on 17 patients from a single institution / 中华肝胆外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze the clinicopathological features, diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine carcinoma of gallbladder (GB-NEC).Methods:The clinical data of 17 patients with GB-NEC confirmed by postoperative pathology managed at the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2013 to January 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 9 males and 8 females, with an age of (68.9±11.2) years. The clinical and follow-up data were analyzed.Results:The main clinical manifestations were abdominal pain ( n=9, 52.9%), anorexia ( n=5, 29.4%), jaundice ( n=2, 11.8%), abdominal mass ( n=2, 11.8%), and asymptomatic ( n=2, 11.8%). Radical resection of gallbladder carcinoma was performed in 9 patients, and palliative resection in 8 patients. Postoperative chemotherapy was given to 4 patients. Postoperative pathology showed small cell type in 11 patients and large cell type in 6 patients. Immunohistochemical staining showed synaptophysin positivity in 17 patients (100.0%), chromogranin A positivity in 12 (70.6%), Ki67 positivity in 17 patients (100%, >50% was defined as positive). All 17 patients were followed-up from 78 to 745 days, with a median of 237 days. At the time of censor of this study, 13 patients had died. The 1-and 2-year cumulative survival rates were 26.5% and 19.9%, respectively. The 1- and 2-year cumulative survival rates of radical gallbladder carcinoma resection ( n=9) were 44.4% and 33.3%, respectively. Eight patients underwent palliative resection, and the longest follow-up time was 276 days. Conclusion:This study showed the incidence of GB-NEC was low. There was no specific clinical manifestations, and the diagnosis mainly depended on immunohistochemistry. Patients with GB-NEC had high expressions of Ki67 and had poor prognosis. Early radical resection was helpful to improve survival of these patients.