Gallbladder cancer in northern Jordan.

Abstract

To highlight the epidemiological, clinical, and pathological features of gallbladder cancer in Jordan as a model for the Middle East. Only scattered reports are available from this region. The histopathological reports and the hospital records for all cholecystectomies performed at Princess Basma Teaching Hospital between 1994-2000 were retrospectively reviewed to identify all patients with gallbladder carcinoma. All the histological slides for the cancer group were reviewed and reclassified by a single pathologist. Of 4502 cholecystectomies performed, 33 cases (0.73%) of gallbladder carcinoma were found. The mean age was 61.4 years (range 39-80 years). The male : female ratio was 1 : 3.7. Biliary colic and/or acute cholecystitis were the main presentations. Gallstones were present in 88% (29/33) of the patients. The spectrum of histological subtypes was similar to other series. Only three cases were diagnosed preoperatively, making the incidence of incidental gallbladder cancer 0.66% (30/4502). Simple cholecystectomy was performed for 13 patients. The remaining 20 patients underwent cholecystectomy and portal lymphadenectomy with (five cases) or without (15 cases) extrahepatic resection of the bile ducts. The mean follow up was 22 months (SD +/- 18.95 months; range 1-96 months). The 2-year survival rates for stages I, II, III, and IV were 100%, 42.9%, 10.8%, and 0%, respectively (P = 0.0013). The importance of a high index of suspicion when dealing with cholelithiasis in elderly patients, particularly with large sized stones, cannot be over-emphasized. Proper gross inspection in the theater should be a routine procedure performed by all surgeons. Routine ultrasound for suspected gallbladder stones should always be performed under the supervision of senior radiologists.