[Prognostic factors in gallbladder cancer]

Gallbladder carcinoma: analysis of prognostic factors in 132 cases

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prognostic factors of gallbladder carcinoma.

METHODS

Presentation, operative data, complications, and survival outcome were examined for 132 gallbladder carcinoma patients who underwent gallbladder surgery in our unit during 2002-2007, and follow-up results were obtained from every patient for univariate and multivariate survival analysis.

RESULTS

The univariate analysis showed that gallbladder lesion history, tumor cell differentiation, Nevin staging, preoperative lymph node metastasis and the surgical approach significantly correlated with the prognosis of the patients (p <0.05). The results of the multivariate analysis (Cox regression) showed that gallbladder lesion history, Nevin staging and the surgical approach were independent predicators with relative risks of 6.9, 4.4, 2.8, respectively (p=0.002, 0.003, 0.008).

CONCLUSION

Gallbladder lesion history, Nevin staging and the surgical approach are independent prognostic factors for gallbladder carcinoma, a rapidly fatal disease. Therefore, early diagnosis, anti-infective therapy and radical surgery are greatly needed to improve the prognosis of gallbladder carcinoma.

[Gallbladder cancer in a regional hospital]

OBJECTIVES

To assess the management of gallbladder cancer (GBC) in our region.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data on 372 patients who underwent cholecystectomy were identified from our database (January 2003 to February 2008) and 6 patients were found to have GBC.

RESULTS

Four patients had incidental carcinoma, one case was preoperatively suspected, and one patient presented with jaundice and locally advanced neoplasia. The incidence was 2 per 100,000 inhabitants per year; incidental carcinoma in 1.1% of cholecystecomies. The ultrasonography showed multilithiasis in 2 patients, sludge and neoplasia in 1, gallstones more than 3cm in 2, and tumor mass only in 1 case. T stage: 1 case of T0 (in situ), 1 of T1, 2 of T2 and one T4. Incidental carcinomas were reoperated on when a T2 was established: 2 underwent lymphadenectomy and cystic stump resection, 1 segmentectomy IVb-V and lymphadenectomy. In the preoperative suspected neoplasia a cholecystectomy, lymphadenectomy, and partial hepatic gallbladder bed resection was initially performed.

CONCLUSIONS

GBC has a low incidence but it will be found in 1% of cholecystectomies. There is no adjuvant treatment and T-based surgical treatment is the is the only opportunity to reach cure in those patients. A national GBC database would be helpful in the publication of national guidelines for this disease.