Case report: an unusual case of gallbladder cancer in an automotive worker

Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder was found at autopsy in a 65-year-old male. The tumor was composed predominantly of signet ring cells, an uncommon histologic form. In addition, there was an atypical pattern of metastasis, with cancer involving not only the walls of the cystic duct, large and small bowels, peritoneum, abdominal nodes, and omentum, but also the kidneys, ureters, lungs, and heart. Although the patient lacked the common predisposing factors for gallbladder cancer, he did work in an industry with a significant relative risk for the development of this cancer.