Synchronous cancers of gallbladder carcinoma and combined hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma: an unusual case and literature review

Rare Coexisting Hepatocellular and Gallbladder Carcinomas: A Case Report

BACKGROUND Multiple primary malignancies in a single patient are considered to be quite rare. However, due to the wider availability of advanced imaging methods and, more regular check-ups, they are becoming more common in clinical practice. To determine the diagnosis of multiple primary malignancies, each tumor must be completely separate and cannot be from metastasis of one or the other. Coexisting hepatocellular carcinoma and gallbladder carcinoma are extremely rare, with only a few case reports published. We believe that to determine the most effective therapeutic management, the results of as many cases as possible should be documented. Regardless of limited data, curative resection may be the most beneficial treatment option in terms of overall survival. CASE REPORT We present the case of a 64-year-old man first diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma with possible infiltration of the gallbladder wall as appeared on a CT scan. However, the definitive histopathologic examination revealed the coexistence of hepatocellular carcinoma and gallbladder carcinoma. In this case report, we offer an insight into the entire diagnostic process, as well as the chosen surgical approach and adjuvant therapy. Moreover, we present our approach to preoperative biopsy, the decision-making process throughout the whole diagnostic and therapeutic course, and the achieved results. CONCLUSIONS In cases of double primary malignancies, the choice of therapeutic strategy depends on the type and stage of both malignancies, but procedures with curative intent are superior. We present the outcome and overall survival of the patient after the surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy for synchronous hepatocellular carcinoma and gallbladder carcinoma. Since the liver is the organ most commonly affected by metastatic dissemination of primary tumors, exclusion of metastatic disease is particularly important.

Synchronous primary duodenal papillary adenocarcinoma and gallbladder carcinoma: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Synchronous primary cancers (SPCs) have become increasingly frequent over the past decade. However, the coexistence of duodenal papillary and gallbladder cancers is rare, and such cases have not been previously reported in the English literature. Here, we describe an SPC case with duodenal papilla and gallbladder cancers and its diagnosis and successful management.

CASE SUMMARY

A 68-year-old Chinese man was admitted to our hospital with the chief complaint of dyspepsia for the past month. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen performed at the local hospital revealed dilatation of the bile and pancreatic ducts and a space-occupying lesion in the duodenal papilla. Endoscopy revealed a tumor protruding from the duodenal papilla. Pathological findings for the biopsied tissue revealed tubular villous growth with moderate heterogeneous hyperplasia. Surgical treatment was selected. Macroscopic examination of this surgical specimen revealed a 2-cm papillary tumor and another tumor protruding by 0.5 cm in the gallbladder neck duct. Intraoperative rapid pathology identified adenocarcinoma in the gallbladder neck duct and tubular villous adenoma with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and local canceration in the duodenal papilla. After an uneventful postoperative recovery, the patient was discharged without complications.

CONCLUSION

It is essential for clinicians and pathologists to maintain a high degree of suspicion while evaluating such synchronous cancers.

Primary Combined Hepatocellular-Cholangiocarcinoma: A Case of Underdiagnosed Primary Liver Cancer

Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (CHC) is a rare primary tumor of the liver. Histologically, it comprises components of both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) but is associated with a worse prognosis. International guidelines regarding its management are scarce, with surgical management (major hepatectomy) being the treatment of choice. In this report, we present a challenging case of a 73-year-old male with primary CHC who was not a surgical candidate but underwent hepatic artery radioembolization instead.

Secondary peripheral T-cell lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia after Burkitt lymphoma treatment: A case report

BACKGROUND

Multiple primary cancer refers to more than one synchronous or sequential cancer in the same individual. Multiple primary cancer always presents as solid cancer or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) secondary to lymphoma. Here, we report a rare case of secondary peripheral T-cell lymphoma and AML after Burkitt lymphoma treatment.

CASE SUMMARY

A 54-year-old female patient was admitted to our hospital complaining of edema on her left lower limb. Physical examination revealed multiple superficial lymphadenectasis on her neck and pelvis. Color ultrasonography examination showed multiple uterine fibroids and a solid mass at the lower left side of the abdomen. Pathological biopsy revealed Burkitt lymphoma. After three hyper-CVAD (A + B) regimens, she achieved complete remission. Two years later, lymphadenectasis reoccurred. A relevant biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, which was accompanied by gastrointestinal invasion and hemocytopenia. Meanwhile, bone marrow examination revealed AML. On the second day of scheduled treatment, she developed gastrointestinal bleeding, peptic ulcers, and hemorrhagic shock and was critically ill. She was then discharged from the hospital due to financial concerns.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of secondary peripheral T-cell lymphoma and AML after Burkitt lymphoma treatment with heterochronous and synchronal multiple primary cancers.

Synchronous hepatocellular carcinoma and gallbladder adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Double primary cancers have a low incidence rate, and synchronous hepatocellular carcinoma and gallbladder adenocarcinoma are rarely reported. Here, we report such a case- the 12th case of synchronous double primary cancers featuring HCC and GC, but the first case of neuroendocrine differentiation in the gallbladder.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 77-year-old female was admitted to the hospital complaining of weakness and inappetence for six months. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen indicated an 11 cm space-occupying lesion in the right lobe of the liver. Later, magnetic resonance imaging showed a high possibility of a massive hepatoma, and multiple gallstones were also seen. After transhepatic arterial chemoembolization, a repeat abdominal CT showed obvious local nodular thickening in the gallbladder wall. Finally, resection of the right lobe of the liver and cholecystectomy were performed. During an approximately 2-year follow-up, the patient recovered uneventfully without recurrence or metastasis.

CONCLUSION

The disease in this case is rare and lacked typical radiological features. More precise and advanced diagnostic techniques are needed to obtain a clear diagnosis and refine treatment strategies. The management strategy should always be curative, even in the presence of multiple malignancies.