Abstractcarcinoma of the gallbladder is an aggressive disease, often with a poor prognosis. although the incidence has remained relatively stable over the past decade, an increase in laparoscopic cholecystectomy has resulted in a increase in cases detected at earlier stages offering an opportunity for better prognosis. diagnostic techniques including ultrasound (uS), endoscopic uS (EuS), computed tomography (cT) with multiplanar reconstruction, magnetic resonance imaging (MRi), positron emission tomography (PET), and diagnostic laparoscopy have evolved. Surgical resection to negative microscopic margins with lymphadenectomy offers the only chance for long-term survival. adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation may be indicated in a subset of patients, and data have suggested a beneficial effect on overall survival. a multidisciplinary approach is required for the optimal management of this complex disease.
KeywordsGallbladder cancer, biliary tract cancer
Incidence/EpidemiologyGallbladder cancer is the fifth most common gastrointestinal malignancy in the uS and the most common cancer of the biliary system. 1 it has an incidence of approximately one to two per 100,000 people, with approximately five to six thousand new cases per year, as estimated by the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. While showing a small decrease in overall incidence over the past 10 years, the incidence in younger populations is growing. Socioeconomic status and access to cholecystectomy have been shown to relate to the incidence gallbladder cancer. 2 its incidence is higher in South american countries, especially chile, and in populations where cholelithiasis is prevalent. 3,4 The incidence of gallbladder cancer is increasing in china and other countries where westernization of diet and increasing obesity are thought to play a role.
5,6Between 10 and 15 % of the adult uS population is affected by cholelithiasisthe number one risk factor for all biliary cancers-and over 750,000cholecystectomies are performed annually in the uS. 7 This has led to an increase in incidentally detected gallbladder cancers, of which approximately 80 % are stage i or ii. 8 it has been estimated that gallbladder cancer found incidentally after cholecystectomy occurs in 0.2-2.9 % of cases, representinganywhere from 40 to 70 % of all gallbladder cancer diagnoses.
9,10Demographics a number of demographic variables play a role in gallbladder cancer.Females have a 40 to 60 % higher incidence of gallbladder cancer than men. 7 Race and ethnicity also play a role, with incidence highest in caucasian hispanics and Native americans, and lowest in non-hispanic caucasians and african americans. The incidence of gallbladder cancer also increases with age, with mean diagnosis in the seventh decade of life.
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Risk Factorschronic inflammation of the gallbladder is the most identifiable cause for development of gallbladder cancer. 3 While this is most often due to cholelithiasis, any disease process that causes chronic inflammation of the gallbladder will ...