Management of carcinoma of the gallbladder: a single-institution experience in 16 years.
BACKGROUND
Radical surgery is the only curative treatment for carcinoma of gallbladder. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of patients with carcinoma of gallbladder managed in a single institution over 16 years.


METHODS
From April 1988 to November 2003, 86 patients (29 males, 57 females) were diagnosed to have carcinoma of gallbladder. Tumor staging, treatment modalities and clinical outcome of these patients were evaluated. Thirty-two patients (37%) had early stage (TNM stage I or II) disease whereas 54 patients (63%) had advanced stage (TNM stage III or IV) disease. Curative treatment by surgical resection was performed in 23 patients (27%).


RESULTS
Overall survival was significantly better in patients with curative treatment (1-year: 85%; 2-year: 63%; 3-year: 55%) than those with palliative treatment (1-year: 11%; 2-year: 3%; 3-year: 0%; P < 0.01). Using Cox regression model, curative treatment was the only independent prognostic factor affecting overall survival of patients with carcinoma of gallbladder. A significantly better survival was associated with curative treatment compared with palliative treatment in patients with incidental gallbladder cancer. The median survival was 33.9 months for the curative treatment group versus 3 months for the palliative treatment group (P = 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Favorable survival outcome can be achieved in patients with carcinoma of gallbladder after curative resection.
Centre for the Study of Liver Disease, Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
Siu Yin
SY
Chan
Ronnie T P
RT
Poon
Chung Mau
CM
Lo
Kelvin K
KK
Ng
Sheung Tat
ST
Fan
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D003549:Cystic Duct / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010166:Palliative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome