title: [Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine small-cell carcinoma of the gallbladder].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neuroendocrine tumours of the gastroenteropancreatic system (GEP-NETs) are rare, in particular those of the gallbladder. Due to the limited therapeutic options, surgical resection is favoured.
  
  
  METHODS
  Described below is the case of a 69-year-old male with a lymphogenically metastasising, poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gallbladder who presented with unspecific abdominal pain.
  Following complete surgical resection of the tumour and the lymph node metastases he developed a recurrence 6  weeks post-operatively. The recurrence was treated with chemotherapy. Re-staging after three courses, however, showed further tumour progression. Prior to the start of a second-line treatment the patient died 13  weeks after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case demonstrates the complexity of this rare disease with diagnosis in advanced tumour stage and poor prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Krankenhaus St. Joseph Stift, Klinik für Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie, Bremen, Deutschland. wsendt@sjs-bremen.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benkel
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brasch
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Altendorf-Hofmann
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sendt
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000473:pathology; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010166:Palliative Care; D016708:Synaptophysin / Q000032:analysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019002:CD56 Antigen; C522918:NCAM1 protein, human; D016708:Synaptophysin