Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Gallbladder Presenting as Recurrent Hepatic Abscess: A Case Report
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.
Authors
- Andrés Uribe Valencia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2578-7888)
- Juan J Zorrilla Ariza
- Lisbeth P Ramirez Perez
- Winny J Barandica Cuaicuan
Institutions
- University of Caldas (CO)
- Central University of Valle del Cauca (CO)
- Universidad del Valle (CR)
- Universidad de Manizales (CO)
- Clínica CES (CO)
- Universidad de Carabobo (VE)
- Icesi University (CO)
- Universidad Libre de Colombia (CO)
- Universidad del Valle (CO)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cureus
- Published
- 2026-01-15
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.101639
- Primary Topic
- Amoebic Infections and Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00