Case Report
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World J Gastroenterol. Jul 28, 2013; 19(28): 4616-4623
Published online Jul 28, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i28.4616
Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct: Case report and literature review
Eizaburo Sasatomi, Michael A Nalesnik, J Wallis Marsh
Eizaburo Sasatomi, Michael A Nalesnik, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
J Wallis Marsh, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
Author contributions: Sasatomi E, Nalesnik MA and Marsh JW contributed to the manuscript writing and revision; and all authors gave their approval in publishing this version of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Eizaburo Sasatomi, MD, PhD, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Montefiore University Hospital, Rm E-734, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States. sasatomie@upmc.edu
Telephone: +1-412-8643970 Fax: +1-412-6475237
Received: December 25, 2012
Revised: April 10, 2013
Accepted: April 18, 2013
Published online: July 28, 2013
Core Tip

Core tip: The authors report a case of large-cell neu-roendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the hilar bile duct. Concurrent dysplasia with intestinal and neuroendocrine differentiation was suggested to be a precursor in this case. Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of the bile duct occurs more frequently in men (male:female ratio 1.9:1). The mid-portion of the common bile duct appears to be the commonest site of involvement. All three reported cases of LCNEC died within 12 mo and the prognosis of NEC of the bile duct appears to be equally poor in both small-cell NEC and LCNEC. Multimodal treatment may improve outcome in this highly aggressive cancer.