Argentaffin cells, intestinal metaplasia and antral metaplasia in carcinoma of the gall bladder

Abstract

The occurrence of argentaffin cells, intestinal metaplasia and antral metaplasia was studied in 20 gallbladders with carcinomas, in a papilloma and in 20 specimens of cholelithiasis [from humans]. Argentaffin cells were present in 6 carcinomas, but in only 1 specimen were they present in large numbers. Only 1 adenocarcinoma contained occasional argyrophil cells; no argentaffin or argyrophil cells were seen in the papilloma. Five cholethiasis specimens contained occasional argentaffin cells. Intestinal and antral metaplasia were found in 4 carcinomas, in the papilloma and in 7 specimens of cholelithiasis. Metaplastic changes may play a role in the pathogenesis of carcinoma of the gallbladder.