Histopathological categorization of desmoplastic reaction in gallbladder carcinoma: its relation to cancer invasiveness and prognostic utility

Abstract

BackgroundDesmoplastic changes in a tumor have been observed to affect the tumor microenvironment, leading to both the facilitation and prevention of tumor invasiveness.MethodsBetween 2016 and 2020, a total of 120 patients were diagnosed with gallbladder carcinoma. The cases were reviewed for the type of desmoplastic reaction, tumor grade, and stage. The type of desmoplastic reaction was classified as mature, intermediate, and immature, and they were correlated with tumor grade and stage.ResultsOut of the total number of cases, 21.67%, 48.33%, 25%, and 5% belonged to stages 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. A total of 79.2% of these cases showed desmoplastic stromal reaction, and there was a significant correlation (p < 0.05) between the type of desmoplasia and tumor grade and stage. The occurrence of immature stroma was correlated with increasing tumor grade and stage, and occurrence of mature stroma was negatively correlated with increasing tumor grade and stage.ConclusionThe assessment of the type of stromal desmoplastic reaction in primary gallbladder carcinoma can predict the tumor invasiveness.