Gallbladder cancer with tumor thrombus in the portal vein: A case report

RATIONALE: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a highly fatal malignancy. Due to its invasiveness and delayed diagnosis, many GBC patients are diagnosed with synchronous liver and hepatoduodenal ligament involvement. In our case, we report a gallbladder cancer with portal vein thrombus. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 60-year-old woman presented with persistent upper abdominal dull pain for 2 months. DIAGNOSES: Ultrasound examination showed gallbladder carcinoma invading liver segment IV, and a tumor thrombus in the left and right main portal trunk. Ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed gallbladder carcinoma with invasion of adjacent liver, and tumor thrombus in the right branch of the portal vein and intrahepatic bile duct. Abdominal computed tomography angiography (CTA) revealed no hepatic artery invasion. INTERVENTIONS: We made a decision to perform extended right lobectomy. Twenty-six days later, the patient underwent intravenous infusion port implantation for S-1 plus oxaliplatin (SOX) therapy. OUTCOMES: After treatment, the patient has been doing very well and no recurrence has been found for 5 months. LESSONS: The patient with gallbladder cancer and tumor thrombus in the portal vein described in this report provides a reminder for surgeons of the importance of early diagnosis, and adequate surgical and adjuvant treatment. Multi-disciplinary treatment is significantly beneficial for the overall survival of patients with advanced GBC.