Synchronous gallbladder and pancreatic cancer associated with pancreaticobiliary maljunction

[Synchronous primary multiple cancer: distal cholangiocarcinoma of the intrapancreatic common bile duct and intraductal papillary mucinous tumor associated with ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic tail]

We present a combination of distal cholangiocarcinoma of the intrapancreatic common bile duct and intraductal papillary mucinous tumor associated with ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic tail. This clinical case is unique. When analyzing the literature, we found no any case of similar primary multiple malignant tumor. Importantly, final diagnosis of simultaneous malignant pancreatobiliary neoplasia is possible only via intraoperative biopsy after adequate morphological dissection and research of resected organ complex including molecular genetic analysis due to identical histological and immunohistochemical picture of ductal neoplasia.

Synchronous pancreas and gallbladder cancer with concomitant alopecia totalis

A 55-year-old female presented with history of pain in the right hypochondrium along with complete loss of facial and scalp hair over last two months. On evaluation, she was found to have locally advanced, synchronous malignancies of the gallbladder and head of the pancreas. Synchronous malignancy of gallbladder and pancreas is in itself very rare and less than 10 such cases have been reported in the world literature. Alopecia totalis has been classically associated with various autoimmune disorders. However, alopecia totalis as a presenting feature of any abdominal malignancy has never been reported in the medical literature. The present report describes a rare association of synchronous pancreatobiliary malignancies with strange clinical presentation.

Application of imaging techniques in pancreaticobiliary maljunction

Imaging techniques are useful tools in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM). PBM is a precancerous lesion often relative to the disease of the pancreas and biliary tract, for example, cholecystolithiasis, protein plugs, and pancreatitis. For patients with PBM, early diagnosis and timely treatment are highly important, which is largely dependent on imaging techniques. The continuous development of imaging techniques, including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, computed tomography, ultrasound, and intraoperative cholangiography, has provided appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic tools for PBM. Imaging techniques, including non-invasive and invasive, have distinct advantages and disadvantages. The purpose of this paper is to review the application of various imaging techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of PBM.

A case report of gallbladder cancer and pancreas cystic neoplasm associated with pancreaticobiliary maljunction

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) is a rare congenital anomaly that is frequently associated with carcinoma of the biliary tract. However, there is still no clear evidence that PBM is associated with pancreatic tumors. Here we describe a case of gallbladder cancer and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) that is associated with PBM.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 72-year-old man underwent a cholecystectomy with hepatectomy (S4a + S5) and regional lymph node dissection for gallbladder adenocarcinoma invading the front lobe branch of the hepatic artery. A pylorus-preserving pancreaticodudenectomy was also performed for pancreatic IPMN.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Presence of mucin type 6 (MUC6) -positive pyloric gland metaplasia in both the dilated pancreatic duct and the gallbladder background mucosa suggests that pancreatic IPMN and gallbladder cancer may have a common phenotypic origin. Additionally, analysis of 41 reported cases of pancreatic cancer associated with PBM revealed that in all metachronous multiple cancer cases, biliary tract cancer preceded the pancreatic cancer with congenital biliary dilatation accompanied by PBM. The analysis also revealed an increased proportion of pancreatic cancer cases with PBM in patients who had not undergone a flow diversion procedure located in pancreatic head.

CONCLUSION

We show an interesting relationship between pancreatic/gallbladder cancer and PBM. More comprehensive evaluations of the whole pancreaticobiliary system in follow-up of patients with PBM is required to understand the full extent of this relationship.

Multifocal pancreatobiliary malignancies: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge

The synchronous presentation of multifocal pancreatobiliary tumors is a rare occurrence and can prove to be a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. We describe the case of a 70-year-old female who presented with a 2-week history of jaundice, reduced appetite, and mild epigastric discomfort of insidious onset. Radiological evaluation with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated features consistent with a hilar cholangiocarcinoma , also known as a Klatskin tumor, involving both the cystic duct and gallbladder neck. In addition to this, a pancreatic neoplasm with associated splenic vein occlusion and metastatic deposits in the liver and lung were identified. The patient was managed with percutaneous transhepatic external biliary drainage and stenting by interventional radiology. Cytology results from the brushings obtained from the aforementioned procedure were nondiagnostic. Core biopsies were performed of the pancreatic lesion; the histopathological results of which were in keeping with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma . The patient was scheduled for chemotherapy however unfortunately deteriorated clinically prior to commencement. This case highlights the diagnostic and management challenges of synchronous pancreatobiliary malignancies.

Synchronous tumors of the pancreas and the gallbladder: a case report with targeted NGS evaluation

Synchronous tumors of the pancreas and gallbladder are rare and often attributed to an abnormal pancreato-biliary junction, which results in a persistent reflux of pancreatic secretions leading to chronic biliary inflammation. We present the case of a 73-year-old woman with synchronous lesions of the pancreas and gallbladder initially considered as two primary localized cancers and treated with curative intent. At relapse, targeted next generation sequencing (NGS), performed in search of potential therapeutic targets, uncovered the fact that the two lesions appeared to be clonally related. This case illustrates the problem of synchronous lesions of the pancreas and gallbladder. New pathologic assessments with comparative molecular analysis of mutational profiles may be helpful in this context.

Synchronous primary gallbladder and pancreatic cancer associated with congenital biliary dilatation and pancreaticobiliary maljunction

Introduction

Synchronous double cancer of the gallbladder and pancreas that is associated with congenital biliary dilatation (CBD) and pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) is extremely rare. PBM is frequently reported in Asia, particularly in Japan. We report a surgical case of synchronous double cancer in a patient with primary gallbladder and pancreatic cancer.

Presentation of case

A 72-year-old woman with epigastralgia underwent subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy and gallbladder bed resection for synchronous primary gallbladder and pancreatic head cancer. Histopathological examination revealed moderately differentiated ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head and well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma at the bottom of the gallbladder.

Conclusion

Synchronous gallbladder and pancreatic cancer is extremely rare. It is necessary to determine the optimal surgical course taking into consideration the degree of tumor progression. This is the second case of synchronous primary gallbladder and pancreatic cancer associated with CBD accompanied by PBM.

Multiple Cancers of the Biliary Tract and Pancreatic Duct after Cholecystectomy for Gallbladder Cancer in a Patient with Pancreaticobiliary Maljunction

We herein report the rare case of a 76-year-old woman who underwent cholecystectomy with bile duct resection for advanced gallbladder cancer associated with pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) and subsequently developed multiple cancers of the pancreaticobiliary system (the distal bile duct, intrahepatic duct and pancreatic duct) after the operation. We performed conventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) using a side-viewing scope to evaluate the masses in the distal bile duct and the pancreatic duct. We also performed ERCP using double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) to observe the mass in the intrahepatic duct. It was possible to directly observe the lesion using DBE and to perform a biopsy under visual control. All lesions were correctly diagnosed by the combination of ERCP using different endoscopes. The present case suggests that it is necessary to pay close attention (with regard to carcinogenesis) to the whole pancreaticobiliary system in patients with PBM. In addition, the combination of ERCP using DBE and a side-viewing scope may be useful for making a precise diagnosis in patients with altered biliary anatomy who have multiple cancers of the pancreaticobiliary system.