Metastatic signet ring cell adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder: A rare case report

Background: Signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) of the gallbladder is an extremely rare and aggressive histological variant of adenocarcinoma, often associated with poor prognosis and early metastasis.
Case Presentation: A 52-year-old female presented with abdominal pain and loss of appetite for 20 days. Radiological investigations suggested calculous cholecystitis with features of pancreatitis and benign biliary stricture. Cholecystectomy specimen on histopathological examination revealed tumor cells with abundant intracytoplasmic mucin and peripheral nuclei consistent with signet ring morphology. The tumor infiltrated the muscularis propria, confirming metastatic signet ring cell adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder.
Conclusion: Gallbladder SRCC is a rare but highly aggressive malignancy. Early diagnosis remains difficult due to nonspecific clinical and radiological findings. Histopathological examination plays a crucial role in diagnosis, and reporting such rare cases is important for better understanding and management.