A Review of Recent Data in the Treatment of Gallbladder Cancer

Asma Altaf,Hasina Qari,Mah Para,Shah Naveed

doi:10.3329/bjms.v15i3.22484

Asma Altaf, Hasina Qari + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v15i3.22484

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Abstract

Gallbladder cancer is now considered a distinct clinical entity, allowing for a separate analysis from that of other malignancies of the biliary tree. Symptoms related to a malignant tumor of the gallbladder include jaundice and abdominal pain, or a palpable abdominal mass that occurs in a late stage of the disease. The majority of patients with operable gallbladder cancer are diagnosed by cholecystectomy performed for presumed benign disease, mostly cholelithiasis, a clinical entity known as incidental gallbladder cancer. Given the poor prognosis if tumor invasion beyond the muscular layer and/or nodal metastasis is found, adjuvant treatments have been implemented, but few data are available to guide treatment decisions in this setting. For advanced disease, a multidisciplinary treatment approach including biliary drainage procedures and palliative support is needed in the management of this aggressive disease. Palliative chemotherapy with a combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin or oxaliplatin is the standard treatment based on the findings of two phase III trials that showed improved overall survival compared to single-agent chemotherapy and best supportive care. Several phase II studies have been reported investigating the role of targeted agents against EGFR, VEGF, HER2, and MEK. International collaboration to enhance our knowledge of gallbladder cancer should be encouraged.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.15(3) 2016 p.320-325

Highlights

Carcinoma of the gallbladder is an uncommon but lethal malignancy
The risk factors associated with gallbladder cancer (GBC) include cholelithiasis and other factors for chronic inflammation like Salmonella- or Helicobacterspecies carriers, female gender, obesity, smoking, and low socioeconomic status 2
In tumors confined to the gallbladder wall, 5 years survival rates after resection only range from 10% to 30% . 4,5,6 A recent study that analyzed data from the Netherland Cancer Registry of 3,917 patients reported an overall 5-year survival rate of 12%, reflecting the aggressive nature of this disease characterized by extensive local and nodal invasion and early distant metastatic spread

Summary

Introduction

Carcinoma of the gallbladder is an uncommon but lethal malignancy. It is the most frequent type of cancer of the biliary tract, and is classified as a separate disease. 4,5,6 A recent study that analyzed data from the Netherland Cancer Registry of 3,917 patients reported an overall 5-year survival rate of 12%, reflecting the aggressive nature of this disease characterized by extensive local and nodal invasion and early distant metastatic spread. Management of resectable gallbladder cancer Surgery is the only curative treatment for patients with GBC.

Results

Conclusion