Abstract
An uncommon case of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) producing clear cell carcinoma of the gallbladder with neuroendocrine differentiation in a 78-year-old Japanese woman, who complained of epigastralgia, is reported. Macroscopically, the nodular infiltrative type of tumor, measuring approximately 4.5 × 3.5 cm in size, was located in the fundus of the gallbladder. Histologically, the tumor was composed of clear cell carcinoma with AFP production, non-clear cell adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation, and poorly or undifferentiated carcinoma with extensive ulceration. Carcinoma in situ was found in the surrounding gallbladder epithelium. Her postoperative laboratory tests showed a decrease in AFP levels to normal. The clinical and pathologic significance of AFP production or neuroendocrine differentiation in the gallbladder carcinomas have thus far remained completely obscure. However, we should recognize the entity of this tumor because the accurate diagnosis of primary clear cell carcinoma of the gallbladder may have important therapeutic implications.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Hamilton SR, Aaltonen LA (eds) (2000) World Health Organization classification of tumors. Pathology and genetics of tumors of the digestive system. IARC Press, Lyon
Vardaman C, Albores-Saavedra J (1995) Clear cell carcinomas of the gallbladder and extrahepatic bile ducts. Am J Surg Pathol 19:91–99
Ng WK, Ng WF (1995) Elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein in a patient with undifferentiated carcinoma of the gall bladder. J Clin Pathol 48:1061–1063
Machado MC, Penteado S, Montagnini AL, Machado MA (1998) Carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder. Sao Paulo Med J 116:1741–1743
Papotti M, Cassoni P, Sapino A, Passarino G, Krueger JE, Albores-Saavedra J (2000) Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gallbladder: report of two cases. Am J Surg Pathol 24:1424–1428
Schonhoff SE, Giel-Moloney M, Leiter AB (2004) Minireview: development and differentiation of gut endocrine cells. Endocrinology 145:2639–2644
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sentani, K., Uraoka, N., Oue, N. et al. Alpha-fetoprotein-producing clear cell carcinoma of the gallbladder with neuroendocrine differentiation. Med Mol Morphol 47, 54–56 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00795-013-0049-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00795-013-0049-5