T. Tashiro et al., Well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder mimicking minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of the cervix - Case report, APMIS, 108(3), 2000, pp. 173-177
We report a case of well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder,
histologically mimicking minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA) of the cerv
ix. A 71-year-old Japanese male underwent cholecystectomy because of the su
ggestion of gallbladder carcinoma. The resected gallbladder showed a locali
zed thickening of the gallbladder wall with a polypoid lesion measuring 12x
7 mm in diameter. Microscopically, the polypoid lesion proved to be a well-
differentiated adenocarcinoma composed of columnar cells with a clear cytop
lasm. In the thickened gallbladder wall, well-formed glands were extensivel
y distributed; they were surrounded by a slightly desmoplastic reaction ins
tead of lamina propria, or were directly in contact with smooth muscle cell
s. The diagnostic criteria for cervical MDA may be useful in distinguishing
well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder from benign conditio
ns, such as Rokitansky-Aschoff sinus and adenomyomatosis. It is remarkable
that the tumor cells of the present case expressed gastric type mucin which
is characteristic of mucinous type cervical MDA.