A case of signet-ring cell carcinoma of the gallbladder

Abstract

We report a case of signet-ring cell carcinoma of the gallbladder. A 66-year-old woman was seen at another hospital because of epigastric pain. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a polypoid lesion in the gallbladder. The patient was admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of gallbladder polyp or gallbladder cancer. She underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The resected specimen revealed an irregular-shaped tumor on the mucosal surface of the gallbladder. Histological findings showed signet-ring cell carcinoma infiltrating into the subserosa. The diagnosis of gallbladder cancer was made and S4a, 5 bisegmentectomy of the liver with regional lymph node dissection (D2) was performed for the purpose of curative operation. She had no postoperative complications and the pathological examination indicated no residual carcinoma cells. She has been alive without recurrence as of 27 months after the operation. Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the gallbladder is so rare that only 14 cases including this case have been reported in Japan.