Gallbladder adenocarcinoma with human chorionic gonadotropin: a case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND: The case of adenocarcinoma with human chorionic gonadtropin (HCG), primary in the male gallbladder, is extremely rare. A Medline search has shown only a few similar cases reported. METHODS: We herein describe a case of primary gallbladder adenocarcinoma associated by ectopic HCG positive tumor cells in a 79-year-old male. RESULTS: Pathological examination showed a mixture of moderately and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with ectopic HCG and placental alkaline phosphatase (PlAP) in tumor cells, though the increase of serum or urinary HCG secretion was not confirmed. The literatures were also reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: A case of gallbladder cancer with ectopic HCG production is quite rare in the literature, though many similar cases in other site, especially in GI tract, are reported. Embryological consideration suggests the increased frequency of similar cases more than being thought now.