Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gallbladder: long survival achieved by multimodal treatment

Int J Clin Oncol. 2009 Aug;14(4):351-5. doi: 10.1007/s10147-008-0843-6. Epub 2009 Aug 25.

Abstract

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gall-bladder is a rare disease in which the prognosis worsens with size. We report a case of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gallbladder in a 64-year-old woman who presented with a right upper quadrant mass whose longest diameter was 11.5 cm; the mass was initially considered to be unresectable because of probable invasion to the main portal vein and biliary tract. The patient received multi-modal treatment, consisting of intraarterial chemotherapy, three-dimensional radiation therapy, right trisegmentectomy, and gamma-knife irradiation (for brain metastases). She has survived for 69 months since the initial diagnosis and has shown no signs of recurrence at 35 months after the last gamma-knife irradiation for brain metastases. This result suggests that multimodal treatment including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy achieved a good response and led to long survival.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Biopsy
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Large Cell / secondary
  • Carcinoma, Large Cell / therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / secondary
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / therapy*
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Female
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / pathology
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Radiosurgery*
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome