Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Gallbladder Presenting as Recurrent Hepatic Abscess: A Case Report

TL;DR

A rare case of gallbladder squamous cell carcinoma presented as recurring liver abscesses, highlighting the difficulty in diagnosing this aggressive cancer.

Contribution

This case report presents an unusual clinical presentation of pure biliary SCC mimicking recurrent infections.

Findings

The patient's repeated hepatic abscesses were later linked to an underlying SCC.

Histologic analysis confirmed the presence of pure squamous cell carcinoma.

The tumor's advanced stage precluded surgical resection, requiring systemic therapy.

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the gallbladder and biliary tract is an exceptionally rare and aggressive malignancy that often remains clinically silent until it reaches an advanced stage. We describe the case of a middle-aged man with no significant medical history who initially presented with repeated episodes of hepatic abscesses, each managed as an isolated infectious process. The persistence of symptoms and progressive cholestasis eventually prompted further evaluation, revealing a large hepatobiliary mass with extensive local invasion that could not be surgically resected. Histologic assessment confirmed pure SCC, and the patient was started on systemic therapy with clinical stability during follow-up. This case illustrates an unusual presentation of a rare tumor, in which recurrent hepatic abscesses of bacterial etiology may be related to tumor development. It highlights the importance of considering occult neoplastic processes in patients with hepatobiliary infections and underscores the challenges associated with the diagnosis and treatment of pure biliary SCC.

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