Gallbladder adenosquamous carcinoma: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Representing 90–95% of all malignant gallbladder neoplasms, adenocarcinoma is by far the most common subtype. Adenosquamous carcinoma is a rare subtype, accounting for only 1–5% of all gallbladder carcinomas. These tumors have been shown to have aggressive biologic behavior, commonly extending to adjacent structures. Some studies have shown that the squamous component often displayed a greater proliferative capacity than the adenocarcinomatous component (possibly even up to twice as fast). Complete surgical resection is currently the mainstay of treatment but the prognosis is often poor. In this paper, we present a case of a 69-year-old male with an AJCC Stage IV moderately differentiated adenosquamous carcinoma of the gallbladder treated with radical cholecystectomy including liver segments IVb, V, VI.

Adenosquamous Carcinoma of Gallbladder with Unusual Prognosis: A Case Report

“…In a study among 69 cases with ASC-GB, the overall 5-year survival rate was estimated to be less than 5% with a median survival of 8.5 months. 5 On the contrary, a comparative study between AC-GB and SCC-GB with ASC-GB depicted non-significant differences in prognosis among those histological variants with a median survival of less than 7 months. 8 Though incongruities exist among the studies regarding the relationship between the histological type and prognosis of malignancy, these studies agree that all GBCs have poor prognoses with a median survival of less than a year.…”

“… 3 , 4 Among the histological variants, adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC-GB) is associated with early metastasis and poorer prognosis. 5 Herein, we report a case of a patient who was diagnosed with GBC and was lost to follow-up. Two years later, she was found to have a resectable gallbladder mass and was managed with extended cholecystectomy.…”

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the gallbladder: a rare entity and dilemmas in its management

“…Despite its rarity, the silent and often rapid progression of disease lends a dismal prognosis. Risk factors attributed to its development include obesity, cholelithiasis, presence of the gallbladder polyps, female sex and chronic infection with Salmonella or Helicobacter species 2 3. Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder is by far the most common histological subtype accounting for nearly 90%–95% of cases and is relatively well studied 4.…”

“…Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder is by far the most common histological subtype accounting for nearly 90%–95% of cases and is relatively well studied 4. However, adenosquamous and pure squamous cell carcinomas of the gallbladder are much rare accounting for 2%–10% of all gallbladder carcinomas2 4 Owing to its rarity, there is a paucity of data on the clinicopathological features with no uniform histological definition, with most papers attributing any form of squamous differentiation combined with glandular features to the adenosquamous carcinoma of the gallbladder (ASCGB) subtype 5. Existing literature would suggest ASCGB to be associated with an increased tumour size, poorer survival, aggressive nature and locally advanced at presentation 6.…”

“…Risk factors attributed to its development include obesity, cholelithiasis, presence of the gallbladder polyps, female sex and chronic infection with Salmonella or Helicobacter species. 2 3 Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder is by far the most common histological subtype accounting for nearly 90%–95% of cases and is relatively well studied. 4 However, adenosquamous and pure squamous cell carcinomas of the gallbladder are much rare accounting for 2%–10% of all gallbladder carcinomas 2 4 Owing to its rarity, there is a paucity of data on the clinicopathological features with no uniform histological definition, with most papers attributing any form of squamous differentiation combined with glandular features to the adenosquamous carcinoma of the gallbladder (ASCGB) subtype.…”