Small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder: clinical course and response to chemotherapy.

Small cell carcinoma of the gall bladder is a rare tumor. The neoplasm is highly lethal, metastasizes early, and may cause death shortly after diagnosis. An oat cell carcinoma of the gallbladder metastatic to the liver and adjacent lymph nodes is described in a 60-year-old male. Partial cholecystectomy was performed followed by aggressive chemotherapy with etoposide and cisplatinum. An 80% reduction in the size of the unexcised tumor was noted over a period of 6 months. The partial response and the relatively long survival of the patient suggest the use of the above protocol for these rare cases.