ABSTRACT

Primary carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder is a rare neoplasm and usually presents as a polypoid lesion. We report an incidentally found carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder detected in cholecystectomy specimen and located in the cystic duct in a 79-year-old male patient. Histopathologically, a neoplasm measuring 2 mm in maximum diameter, which was grossly unremarkable, was detected in the cystic duct. The tumor formed glandular structures, and not invaded beyond the muscular layer. Immunohistochemically, the tumor was positive for synaptophysin. The patient is alive and well 27 months after diagnosis. Definitive diagnosis of carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder is usually made based on histopathological examination after surgery. Our case is unique in that it was found incidentally and was grossly unremarkable. It seems that surgery alone is a reliable definitive treatment for small carcinoid tumors.