Carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder: report of two cases

We report two cases of carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder. Case 1 was a 59-year-old woman who presented with epigastric pain. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) revealed a 16 mm polypoid lesion in the neck of the gallbladder. Tumor markers were within normal limits. Open cholecystectomy was performed with a preoperative diagnosis of early cancer of the gallbladder. Case 2 was a 45-year-old man. A polyp in the gallbladder was incidentally detected on annual checkup. Ultrasound and CT showed an 18 mm protruding lesion in the neck of the gallbladder. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed and the tumor diagnosed as a carcinoid tumor based on the findings of funicular and tubular cells in the lamina propria mucosa, homogeneous nuclei, basophilic cytoplasm, and positive staining with chromogranin A and synaptophysin. The postoperative course of both patients was uneventful, with no recurrence at 44 and 41 months after surgery. In this literature review of 39 cases, classical carcinoid of the gallbladder has a favorable postoperative outcome. Of cases reviewed, 60% are located in the neck of the gallbladder and 50% have a polypoid shape.