Gallbladder adenocarcinoma: a rare and fatal entity. A case report

Abstract

Introduction: Gallbladder adenocarcinoma is one of the digestive neoplasms with the worst prognosis; it is uncommon and is associated with high mortality. Most diagnoses are incidental when surgical exploration is performed due to suspected cholelithiasis, with malignancy found in 1 to 2% of these cases. It produces nonspecific symptoms, leading to late diagnoses, thereby worsening the prognosis. The characteristics of this neoplasm and the late diagnosis often make curative resection impossible. Clinical Case: A 45-year-old female patient who reported the onset of the current illness in December 2021. After a meal, she experienced sudden, intense, and intermittent epigastric pain. Abdominal ultrasound (US) reported gallbladder wall thickening. It was decided to perform an extended open cholecystectomy, and a tumor was found inside the gallbladder, occupying 30% of its lumen. An intraoperative biopsy was performed, diagnosing gallbladder adenocarcinoma. The patient recovered satisfactorily and was discharged. Subsequent follow-up visits have shown no evidence of disease recurrence. Conclusion: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a rare condition with a challenging diagnosis and a high mortality rate. It produces nonspecific symptoms, so a high index of suspicion is necessary for its diagnosis. The management and therapeutic approach depend on the tumor's extent and staging. Further studies are needed to determine and standardize the management of this uncommon neoplasm.