Primary Extra Nodal NK/T Cell Lymphoma in the Gallbladder: A Rare Case Report

Abstract Background Extra nodal NK/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is rarely occurred in the gallbladder, and it is generally difficult to diagnose before surgery. Here we present a case of primary ENKTL of gallbladder. Case presentation A 61-year-old female with pain in the right upper abdomen, and Murphy's sign was positive. Ultrasonography showed that a submucosal tumor-like lesion in the neck of the gallbladder, and the gallbladder wall thickness was 0.6cm; there were several high-signal stone shadows. Microscopic examination revealed coagulative necrosis in the lamina propria of the mucosa, the tumor cells were grown diffusely infiltrating, which with medium to large size and inconspicuous or small nucleoli. Immunohistochemistry showed that the tumor cells were positively expressed CD3, CD2, CD56, CD43, TIA-1, Perforin, Granzyme-B, and EBER-ISH (-). Based on these findings, the pathological diagnosis was ENKTL of the gallbladder. The patient received CHOP chemotherapy regimens, who has been free of recurrence for 8 months after the surgery. Conclusion In the early stage, histological diagnosis of ENKTL is difficult, and the patient may not have obvious symptoms, for patients with the gallbladder wall thickens and has protrusions, ENKTL should be regarded as one of the differential diagnosis.