Outcomes of metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gallbladder

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gallbladder (NECGB) is a rare pathological entity. They are found to be aggressive cancers. Treatment strategies are based largely on extrapolation from other small cell cancers. Survival is poor compared to adenocarcinoma. Data from low- and middle-income countries are sparse.

All patients with metastatic NECGB treated in our centre were identified. Their treatment details were captured from electronic medical records. Baseline characteristics were noted and survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meir method.

A total of 15 patients were included. The median age was 55 years. Large cell comprises 2/15 and small cell was found in 13/15 patients. Chemotherapy was platinum-based in 12 patients. The response to first-line chemotherapy was partial in 3 (20%), stable disease in 2 (13.3%) and progressive disease in 10 (66.6%). After a median duration of follow-up of 12 months, the median progression free survival was 3 months and the median overall survival was 5 months.

The outcomes of small cell gallbladder cancer are dismal, despite good response rate. More prospective data are required.