Gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder cancer has a reputation for being aggressive and incurable. Single institution series, however, have defined successful management strategies in which the extent of resection is based on the stage of the tumor at presentation. Careful ultrasound screening for abnormalities in the gallbladder wall, and CA19-9 serum determination prior to routine cholecystectomy may heighten awareness for cancer in this population. For tumors confined to the muscular layer of the gallbladder a simple cholecystectomy is associated with an almost 100% cure rate. Tumors invading through the muscle wall (Stage II) should be managed with extended cholecystectomy, including resection of hepatic segments IVb and V, and an extensive lymph node dissection of the porta hepatis, posterior pancreaticoduodenal, and interaortocaval lymph nodes. This operation for Stage II gallbladder cancer is associated with a 90% to 100% 3-year survival rate. Simple cholecystectomy fails in the majority of Stage II patients. Patients with Stage III and IV tumors may also benefit from an extended cholecystectomy. Patients with bulky primary tumors without lymph node metastases (T4N0) seem to have a better prognosis than those with distant lymph node metastases, and should be treated aggressively when possible. It is advantageous to perform the appropriate extent of surgery for gallbladder cancer at the initial operation. Heightened awareness of the presence of cancer and the knowledge of appropriate management are important. For patients whose cancer is an incidental finding on pathologic review, re-resection is indicated for all disease except Stage I. This review will discuss the epidemiology, pathology, and staging of gallbladder cancer and describe the appropriate surgical management based on the stage of the cancer.