Cancer of the gall bladder: a report of three cases and a review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Cancer of the gall bladder is an uncommon but highly lethal disease associated with cholelithiasis and chronic cholecystitis in occurrence.


METHODS
A report of three cases seen over six years at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) is presented together with a review of the literature.


RESULTS
Three cases were seen over a period of 6 years. There were two females and one male. The patients were aged 80, 50 and 65 years respectively. The 80 year old man and 50 year old female presented with right hypochondrial mass and pain. The third presented with features of multiple metastases involving the liver and omentum. The first two cases had cholecystectomy and limited resection of adjacent liver tissue. The third case had unresectable cancer with gross involvement of the liver, peritoneum and omentum; she died three weeks after exploratory laparotomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Cancer of the gall bladder is rare in this environment. A high index of suspicion in addition to ultrasound and computerized tomography helps in making an early diagnosis. This may improve the outcome of management.
Ali
N
N
Department of Surgery, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri.
Na'aya
H U
HU
Ngadda
H
H
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis