Clinical features and outcomes analysis of Gallbladder neuroendocrine carcinoma.

Purpose: Gallbladder neuroendocrine carcinoma (GB-NEC) is an uncommon and highly malignant tumor. This research aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of GB-NEC.

Materials and methods: Our survey of case reports from January 2000 to May 2022 screened a total of 84 patients with complete data who received surgical resection for gallbladder NEC. Log-rank generated survival curves using the Kaplan-Meier method for univariate survival analysis. To identify GB-NEC independent prognostic indicators for overall survival (OS), univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses were conducted.

Results: These patients consisted of 25 men and 59 women, with an average age of 60 (range 29-85). Patients under 60 years old made up 44% of the population, while patients over 60 made up 56%. Fifty-three tumors were advanced pathologic TNM stage III and IV. After surgery, 44 patients underwent chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The median OS of 84 patients with GB-NEC was 16.8 months. In univariate and multivariate analysis, tumor size (diameter ≥5 cm), TNM tumor stage, and the receipt of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy are independent factors influencing the prognosis of patients with GB-NEC.

Conclusion: Tumor size (diameter ≥5 cm) and TNM tumor stage were independently related to a shorter OS. An enhanced OS was independently linked to receiving postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.