title: Small-cell undifferentiated carcinoma of neuroendocrine type originating in the gallbladder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We report a case of small-cell undifferentiated carcinoma with neuroendocrine (SCUCN) of the gallbladder in a 67-year-old man who presented with suspected cholelithiasis. Treatment included a cholecystectomy and a 4-cycle course of etoposide and carboplatin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Small-cell undifferentiated carcinoma with neuroendocrine features of the gallbladder is a rare disease with approximately 30 cases reported in the literature. Clinical characteristics include an association with cholelithiasis, an elderly age distribution, a female preponderance, and a correlation with cigarette smoking. It is known to behave aggressively and carry a grave prognosis, with extensive local invasion and early metastasis being characteristic. Medical and surgical therapies exist and have demonstrated best results when used in combination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mercer University School of Medicine, The Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon, USA. joshua.lane@lycos.com
authors.forename: Joshua E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: Anna N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Gregory W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Ayers
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Williams