{"title":"Gallbladder Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Diffuse β-hCG Expression: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.","authors":"Shengliang He, Dustin E Bosch, Alan Hemming","doi":"10.1007/s12029-025-01308-7","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Gallbladder squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare subtype of gallbladder malignancy, comprising only 1-4% of cases. Ectopic expression of β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) has been described in various epithelial cancers and is associated with aggressive behavior. We report the first known case of gallbladder SCC with diffuse β-hCG expression and markedly elevated serum β-hCG levels, aiming to explore its clinicopathological implications and potential as a prognostic biomarker.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We present the clinical, radiologic, surgical, and pathological findings of a patient with a large gallbladder mass. A literature review was conducted to contextualize our findings.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The patient underwent open cholecystectomy with hepatic segment IVb/V resection. Final pathology revealed poorly differentiated SCC with acantholytic features and diffuse β-hCG immunoreactivity. Two metastatic lymph nodes were identified in the low hepatoduodenal nodal basin. Postoperative serum β-hCG was significantly elevated. Despite surgical resection, the patient experienced rapid disease recurrence and progression.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case represents the first documented instance of β-hCG-expressing gallbladder SCC. Diffuse β-hCG expression may reflect a dedifferentiated and aggressive tumor phenotype associated with early metastasis and poor prognosis. Further studies are warranted to investigate the prognostic and biological significance of β-hCG in gallbladder SCC and its potential role as a biomarker.</p>","PeriodicalId":15895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer","volume":"56 1","pages":"184"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12417271/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12029-025-01308-7","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"ONCOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose: Gallbladder squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare subtype of gallbladder malignancy, comprising only 1-4% of cases. Ectopic expression of β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) has been described in various epithelial cancers and is associated with aggressive behavior. We report the first known case of gallbladder SCC with diffuse β-hCG expression and markedly elevated serum β-hCG levels, aiming to explore its clinicopathological implications and potential as a prognostic biomarker.
Methods: We present the clinical, radiologic, surgical, and pathological findings of a patient with a large gallbladder mass. A literature review was conducted to contextualize our findings.
Results: The patient underwent open cholecystectomy with hepatic segment IVb/V resection. Final pathology revealed poorly differentiated SCC with acantholytic features and diffuse β-hCG immunoreactivity. Two metastatic lymph nodes were identified in the low hepatoduodenal nodal basin. Postoperative serum β-hCG was significantly elevated. Despite surgical resection, the patient experienced rapid disease recurrence and progression.
Conclusion: This case represents the first documented instance of β-hCG-expressing gallbladder SCC. Diffuse β-hCG expression may reflect a dedifferentiated and aggressive tumor phenotype associated with early metastasis and poor prognosis. Further studies are warranted to investigate the prognostic and biological significance of β-hCG in gallbladder SCC and its potential role as a biomarker.
期刊介绍：
The Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer is a multidisciplinary medium for the publication of novel research pertaining to cancers arising from the gastrointestinal tract.The journal is dedicated to the most rapid publication possible.The journal publishes papers in all relevant fields, emphasizing those studies that are helpful in understanding and treating cancers affecting the esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder and biliary tree, pancreas, small bowel, large bowel, rectum, and anus. In addition, the Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer publishes basic and translational scientific information from studies providing insight into the etiology and progression of cancers affecting these organs. New insights are provided from diverse areas of research such as studies exploring pre-neoplastic states, risk factors, epidemiology, genetics, preclinical therapeutics, surgery, radiation therapy, novel medical therapeutics, clinical trials, and outcome studies.In addition to reports of original clinical and experimental studies, the journal also publishes: case reports, state-of-the-art reviews on topics of immediate interest or importance; invited articles analyzing particular areas of pancreatic research and knowledge; perspectives in which critical evaluation and conflicting opinions about current topics may be expressed; meeting highlights that summarize important points presented at recent meetings; abstracts of symposia and conferences; book reviews; hypotheses; Letters to the Editors; and other items of special interest, including:Complex Cases in GI Oncology: This is a new initiative to provide a forum to review and discuss the history and management of complex and involved gastrointestinal oncology cases. The format will be similar to a teaching case conference where a case vignette is presented and is followed by a series of questions and discussion points. A brief reference list supporting the points made in discussion would be expected.
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