Gallstones, Cholecystectomy, and Cancer Risk
Author Information
Author(s): W H Chow, C Johansen, G Gridley, L Mellemkjær, J H Olsen, J F Fraumeni Jr
Primary Institution: Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
Hypothesis
Does gallstone disease and cholecystectomy increase the risk of cancers of the liver, biliary tract, and pancreas?
Conclusion
Gallstone disease increases the risk of gallbladder cancer, while cholecystectomy may increase the risk of cancers of the ampulla of Vater and pancreas.
Supporting Evidence
- Patients without cholecystectomy had significantly elevated risks for liver and gallbladder cancers.
- Cholecystectomy patients showed elevated risks for cancers of the ampulla of Vater and pancreas.
Takeaway
If you have gallstones, you might have a higher chance of getting certain types of cancer, but if you have surgery to remove your gallbladder, it could change those risks.
Methodology
A nationwide population-based cohort study in Denmark followed patients with gallstones for cancer occurrence.
Limitations
Further research is needed to clarify the carcinogenic risks and mechanisms involved.
Participant Demographics
Patients with a discharge diagnosis of gallstones from 1977 to 1989.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
1.2–3.1 for liver cancer, 1.5–4.4 for gallbladder cancer, 1.0–3.7 for ampulla of Vater cancer, 1.1–1.6 for pancreas cancer.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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