Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 27, 2025
04:14
Laparoscopic Choledochal Cyst Excision and Roux-en-Y Choledochojejunostomy in Adults
Published on: February 28, 2025
253
Gallbladder Intramucosal Carcinoma Arising in a Cholesterol Polyp: A Case Report
Takahide Sasaki1, Masatoshi Kajiwara1, Fuminori Ishii1
1Gastroenterological Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, JPN.
Cureus
|April 11, 2022
Summary
Gallbladder cholesterol polyps are usually benign. However, this case reveals a rare instance where adenocarcinoma developed within a cholesterol polyp, highlighting the need for vigilance.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Pathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cholesterol polyps are the most common gallbladder polyps and are generally considered benign.
- Malignant transformation of cholesterol polyps is exceedingly rare.
- Accurate preoperative diagnosis can be challenging.
Observation:
- A pedunculated, mulberry-like gallbladder polyp was examined.
- The polyp macroscopically presented two distinct components: a yellow-whitish lobulated lesion and a brownish irregular lesion.
- Microscopic examination revealed the yellow-whitish part as a cholesterol polyp and the brownish part as well-differentiated adenocarcinoma.
Findings:
- A rare case of well-differentiated adenocarcinoma arising within a gallbladder cholesterol polyp is reported.
- The coexistence of benign cholesterol polyp tissue and malignant adenocarcinoma within the same gallbladder polyp was confirmed.
- This finding challenges the assumption that cholesterol polyps cannot be a site of origin for malignancy.
Implications:
- Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for malignancy even when imaging suggests a gallbladder cholesterol polyp.
- Pathological examination is crucial for definitive diagnosis, as malignancy can be present alongside benign components.
- This case underscores the importance of thorough histopathological evaluation of gallbladder polyps to detect rare malignant transformations.
