Letter to the Editor

Single Metastasis in the Gallbladder Arising from Adenocarcinoma of the Rectum

Authors: Christof Abächerli, MD, Jürg Metzger, MD

Abstract

To the Editor:


An 83-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for the surgical treatment of a locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the rectum. Initial staging showed strong evidence for mesorectal lymphadenopathy. Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy achieved a regression of the primary findings. An extended perineal rectum amputation was performed. Coexistent cholecystolithiasis necessitated cholecystectomy during the primary procedure. The postoperative histological analysis showed the stage ypT3 yNp2 (9/10) pM1 G3 (gallbladder). The unusual histologically diagnosed gallbladder metastasis was confirmed by Alcian blue periodic acid-Schiff (AB-PAS) and immunohistochemical coloring of the signet ring cells with pancytokeratin antibodies.

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