Small-cell carcinoma manifesting systemic lymphadenopathy combined with adenocarcinoma in the gallbladder: aggressiveness and sensitivity to chemotherapy

Small-cell carcinoma of the gallbladder is a very rare tumor. In this report, we describe a patient with small-cell carcinoma combined with adenocarcinoma in the gallbladder. The patient was a 70-year-old man, who clinically manifested systemic lymphadenopathy. An incisional biopsy of Virchow's lymph node revealed small-cell carcinoma. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed massive multiple paraaortic lymph node swelling and a round mass in the gallbladder, although chest CT did not show any abnormal masses in the lung. After two courses of chemotherapy (PVP therapy; cisplatin [CDDP], 80 mg/m(2), day 1, intravenous injection; and etoposide [VP-16], 50 mg/m(2), every day, per oral intake; given every 3 weeks) were performed, the systemic lymphadenopathy had completely diminished and only the gallbladder tumor remained on clinical examinations. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed nodular tumors in the gallbladder fundus. Cholecystectomy with partial resection of the liver was performed. Pathological examination revealed small-cell carcinoma combined with adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder. We discuss the characteristics and the treatment of this rare tumor.