Frequency of Gallbladder Carcinoma in Patients Operated for Symptomatic Cholelithiasis
2024

Gallbladder Cancer in Patients with Gallstones

Sample size: 230 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Muacevic Alexander, Adler John R, Alam Muhammad, Anwar Asma, Qureshi Hikmat Ullah, Khan Muhammad Bilawal, Deeba Farah, Khan Ali Gohar

Primary Institution: Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar

Hypothesis

What is the prevalence of incidental gallbladder carcinoma in patients undergoing cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholelithiasis?

Conclusion

Incidental gallbladder carcinoma was found in 3.04% of patients undergoing cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholelithiasis, with longer symptom duration and older age as significant risk factors.

Supporting Evidence

  • 7 out of 230 patients (3.04%) had incidental gallbladder carcinoma.
  • 5 cases were adenocarcinoma and 2 were papillary carcinoma.
  • Patients with incidental carcinoma had a longer symptom duration (mean: 14.2 months).
  • Older age was a significant risk factor for incidental carcinoma.

Takeaway

Some people who have their gallbladder removed for stones might actually have cancer in it, even if no one suspected it before surgery.

Methodology

This retrospective cohort study reviewed records of 230 patients who underwent cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholelithiasis, with histopathological examination of excised gallbladders.

Potential Biases

Potential reporting bias and missing data due to the retrospective design.

Limitations

The study was conducted at a single center, which may affect the generalizability of the findings, and had a small number of carcinoma cases.

Participant Demographics

Patients aged 18-55 years, with a mean age of 40.7 years; 67.8% female and 32.2% male.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.001

Statistical Significance

p ≤ 0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.7759/cureus.74891

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