Predictors of incidental gallbladder cancer in patients undergoing cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder disease

Incidental Gallbladder Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

PURPOSE

Patients undergoing cholecystectomy for a presumed benign disease may present with histopathology report revealing carcinoma in the gallbladder specimen, in which case it is referred to as incidental gallbladder cancer (IGBC). This review highlights the approach to evaluation and management of these patients.

METHODS

Available literature from various sources has been reviewed and presented in a narrative format.

RESULTS

Early referral to a tertiary centre for appropriate staging and definitive management is paramount. Once distant metastasis is ruled out, re-resection is indicated in patients with pathological T-stage ≥T1b with the aim to attain R0 resection, and perform complete staging lymphadenectomy, and has been shown to confer survival benefit. Feasibility and safety of minimally invasive approaches have been demonstrated in recent years. Role of peri-operative chemo(radio)-therapy in IGBC remains uncertain and prospective trials are warranted.

CONCLUSION

IGBC is being increasingly diagnosed as the number of cholecystectomies for presumed benign diseases is steadily increasing globally. Overall prognosis depends on the stage and is especially poor in those with residual disease at re-operation.

Gallbladder Cancer and Dysplasia in Cholecystectomy Specimens: A Large Study in High-Incidence Regions of South America

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Gallstone disease has been causally linked to gallbladder cancer (GBC) via the carcinogenesis model of gallstones and inflammation leading to gallbladder dysplasia then GBC. Efficient GBC prevention through cholecystectomy requires accurate prediction of individual GBC risk, especially in low- and middle-income regions, where studies tend to be small and of low quality, and where financial and surgical capacity are limited.

METHODS

In a collaborative study from high GBC incidence regions of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru, we collected and validated clinical information from 10,561 patients with gallstone disease who underwent cholecystectomy. After checking data reliability, we used multiple logistic regression to identify the main factors associated with GBC and dysplasia risk.

RESULTS

The highest GBC and dysplasia risk was found in patients with clinical suspicion of GBC, followed by planned open cholecystectomy, female sex, gallstones over 3 cm, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, and age at cholecystectomy. Clinical suspicion of GBC and age at cholecystectomy showed heterogeneous odds ratios depending on the recruitment site. The identified risk factors, and the magnitude of their effects, were different for GBC and dysplasia. The mean age at cholecystectomy was 47 years, compared with 50 years for low-grade dysplasia, 62 years for high-grade dysplasia, and 64 years for GBC.

CONCLUSIONS

These recruitment site-specific risk factors may help refine current prevention strategies by prioritizing prophylactic cholecystectomy in high-risk patients. The approach used in this study may guide future investigations on GBC prevention in high-incidence, low-income regions.

A deep learning model based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography for differential diagnosis of gallbladder carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is highly malignant, and its early diagnosis remains difficult. This study aimed to develop a deep learning model based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) images to assist radiologists in identifying GBC.

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled 278 patients with gallbladder lesions (> 10 mm) who underwent contrast-enhanced CT and cholecystectomy and divided them into the training (n = 194) and validation (n = 84) datasets. The deep learning model was developed based on ResNet50 network. Radiomics and clinical models were built based on support vector machine (SVM) method. We comprehensively compared the performance of deep learning, radiomics, clinical models, and three radiologists.

RESULTS

Three radiomics features including LoG_3.0 gray-level size zone matrix zone variance, HHL first-order kurtosis, and LHL gray-level co-occurrence matrix dependence variance were significantly different between benign gallbladder lesions and GBC, and were selected for developing radiomics model. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that age ≥ 65 years [odds ratios (OR) = 4.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.1-9.1, P < 0.001], lesion size (OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.6-4.1, P < 0.001), and CA-19-9 > 37 U/mL (OR = 4.0, 95% CI: 1.6-10.0, P = 0.003) were significant clinical risk factors of GBC. The deep learning model achieved the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values of 0.864 (95% CI: 0.814-0.915) and 0.857 (95% CI: 0.773-0.942) in the training and validation datasets, which were comparable with radiomics, clinical models and three radiologists. The sensitivity of deep learning model was the highest both in the training [90% (95% CI: 82%-96%)] and validation [85% (95% CI: 68%-95%)] datasets.

CONCLUSIONS

The deep learning model may be a useful tool for radiologists to distinguish between GBC and benign gallbladder lesions.

Risk score for malignancy in patients with suspicious gallbladder lesions: Retrospective analysis of 175 cases

BACKGROUND

Among cancers, carcinoma gallbladder has one of the most dismal prognosis. Early lesions are difficult to biopsy because of proximity to luminal structures and risk of biliary peritonitis. However, early surgery offers the only chance of a complete cure. Utilizing a risk score would allow characterization of the risk of malignancy and early referral to an oncology centre thereby resulting in better outcomes for patients with carcinoma gallbladder.

METHODS

The aim of this study was to develop a risk score for carcinoma in patients with suspicious gallbladder lesions based on clinical presentation and imaging. All patients with suspicious gallbladder lesions on radiological imaging who underwent surgery were analyzed. Patients were considered for scoring if the ultrasound showed the gallbladder wall thickening (more than 4 mm) and computed tomography scan showed operable disease. Statistical analysis was done to derive a score for malignancy.

RESULTS

Total 175 patients underwent an operation for suspicious gallbladder lesions from January 2005 to December 2014. The factors analyzed were clinical biochemical and imaging findings. Of these, 71 were benign on the final histopathology and 104 were malignant. The score was constructed with the following variables: female sex, high total bilirubin (≥ 1 mg/dL), presence of a mass, focal location of the lesion, presence of gallbladder stones and nodal involvement in the hepatoduodenal region on imaging. A model score and modified score were obtained. In this modified score, score of more than 8 out of 20 predicted malignancy with a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 70.4%. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve constructed with these variables had an area under curve of 0.828. There was no statistically significant difference between the model score and the modified score.

CONCLUSIONS

A pre-operative risk score was obtained for carcinoma gallbladder, which needs to be validated prospectively in future.

Gallbladder Cancer Incidentally Found at Cholecystectomy: Perioperative Risk Factors

PURPOSE

Risk factors of gallbladder cancer (GBC) are not well-defined resulting in greater than 60% of GBCs being diagnosed incidentally following cholecystectomy performed for presumed benign indications. As most localized GBCs require more extensive oncologic surgery beyond cholecystectomy, this study aims to examine factors associated with incidentally found GBC to improve preoperative and intraoperative diagnoses.

METHODS

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database from 2007 to 2017 was used to identify cholecystectomies performed with and without a final diagnosis of GBC. Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to compare demographic, intraoperative, and postoperative characteristics among those with and without a diagnosis of GBC.

RESULTS

The incidence of GBC was observed to be 0.11% (441/403,443). Preoperative factors associated with risk of GBC included age > 60 (OR 6.51, p < .001), female sex (OR 1.75, p < .001), history of weight loss (2.58, p < .001), and elevated preoperative alkaline phosphatase level (OR 1.67, p = .001). Open approach was associated with 7 times increased risk of GBC compared to laparoscopic approach (OR 7.33, p < .001). In addition to preoperative factors and surgical approach, longer mean operative times (127 min vs 70.7 min, p < .001) were significantly associated with increased risk of GBC compared to benign final pathology.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that those with incidentally discovered GBC at cholecystectomy are unique from those undergoing cholecystectomy for benign indications. By identifying predictors of GBC, surgeons can choose high risk individuals for pre-operative oncologic evaluation and consider better tools for identifying GBC such as intraoperative frozen pathology.

Gallbladder wall thickness adversely impacts the surgical outcome

Backgrounds/Aims

To evaluate surgical outcomes of patients with gallbladder wall thickness (GBWT) > 5 mm.

Methods

Patients who underwent cholecystectomy were classified into two groups according to their GBWT status (GBWT+ vs. GBWT-).

Results

Among 1,211 patients who underwent cholecystectomy, GBWT+ was seen in 177 (14.6%). The GBWT+ group was significantly older with more males, higher ASA score, higher alkaline phosphatase level, higher international normalized ratio, and lower albumin level than the GBWT- group. On ultrasound, GBWT+ patients had larger stone size, more pericholecystic fluid, more common bile duct stone, and more biliary pancreatitis. Compared with the GBWT- group, the GBWT+ group had more urgent surgeries (12.4% vs. 3.2%, p = 0.001), higher conversion rate (4.5% vs. 0.3%, p = 0.001), prolonged operative time (67 ± 38 vs. 54 ± 29 min; p = 0.001), more bleeding (3.4% vs. 0.5%, p = 0.002), and more need of drain (21.5% vs. 10.5%, p = 0.001). By multivariate analysis, factors associated with increased length of hospital stay were GBWT+ (HR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.19-3.25, p = 0.008), urgent surgery (HR: 10.2, 95% CI: 4.07-25.92, p = 0.001), prolonged surgery (HR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.0-1.02, p = 0.001), and postoperative drain (HR: 11.3, 95% CI: 6.40-20.0, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Variables such as GBWT ≥ 5 mm, urgent prolonged operation, and postoperative drains are independent predictors of extended hospital stay. GBWT+ patients are twice likely to stay in hospital for more than 72 hours and more prone to develop complications than GBWT- patients.

Assessing the Validity of Normalizing Aflatoxin B1-Lysine Albumin Adduct Biomarker Measurements to Total Serum Albumin Concentration across Multiple Human Population Studies

The assessment of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) exposure using isotope-dilution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) of AFB₁-lysine adducts in human serum albumin (HSA) has proven to be a highly productive strategy for the biomonitoring of AFB₁ exposure. To compare samples across different individuals and settings, the conventional practice has involved the normalization of raw AFB₁-lysine adduct concentrations (e.g., pg/mL serum or plasma) to the total circulating HSA concentration (e.g., pg/mg HSA). It is hypothesized that this practice corrects for technical error, between-person variance in HSA synthesis or AFB₁ metabolism, and other factors. However, the validity of this hypothesis has been largely unexamined by empirical analysis. The objective of this work was to test the concept that HSA normalization of AFB₁-lysine adduct concentrations effectively adjusts for biological and technical variance and improves AFB₁ internal dose estimates. Using data from AFB₁-lysine and HSA measurements in 763 subjects, in combination with regression and Monte Carlo simulation techniques, we found that HSA accounts for essentially none of the between-person variance in HSA-normalized (R² = 0.04) or raw AFB₁-lysine measurements (R² = 0.0001), and that HSA normalization of AFB₁-lysine levels with empirical HSA values does not reduce measurement error any better than does the use of simulated data (n = 20,000). These findings were robust across diverse populations (Guatemala, China, Chile), AFB₁ exposures (10⁵ range), HSA assays (dye-binding and immunoassay), and disease states (healthy, gallstones, and gallbladder cancer). HSA normalization results in arithmetic transformation with the addition of technical error from the measurement of HSA. Combined with the added analysis time, cost, and sample consumption, these results suggest that it may be prudent to abandon the practice of normalizing adducts to HSA concentration when measuring any HSA adducts—not only AFB₁-lys adducts—when using LCMS in serum/plasma.

Gallbladder cancer in Africa: A higher than expected rate in a "low-risk" population

BACKGROUND

Gallbladder cancer is the most common biliary tract malignancy. Reports from Africa suggest a low incidence of gallbladder cancer. Gallbladder cancer is most often diagnosed incidentally on pathology after cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of incidental gallbladder cancer from cholecystectomy specimens in South Africa.

METHODS

An audit of cholecystectomies for suspected gallstone disease in South Africa was done by reviewing specimens processed by the South Africa National Health Laboratory Service from 2003 and 2015. To assess risk factors for the presence of malignancy, a case control comparison was done. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between risk factors and malignancy. Between-group comparisons of sex were carried out using Fisher exact test. Ages were compared using the independent samples t test.

RESULTS

Pathological analysis was conducted on 33,467 cholecystectomy specimens. The rate of incidental gallbladder cancer rate was 0.39% with no difference between gender (P = .19). The mean age of the incidental gallbladder cancer patients (61.8 years; SD 13.4 y) was significantly higher than that of patients without gallbladder cancer (47.2 years; SD 15.0) (P < .0001). The majority of patients presented with T2 and T3 tumors. On multivariate analysis, only age, the presence of acute inflammation, and dysplasia were associated with the presence of incidental gallbladder cancer.

CONCLUSION

This large African study demonstrates a high rate of incidental gallbladder cancer in a patient population that has previously been deemed at low risk for gallbladder malignancies.

A Comparison Between the Prognosis of Simultaneous and Salvage Radical Resection in Incidental Gallbladder Cancer

Purpose

Incidental gallbladder cancer (IGBC) is defined as gallbladder cancer (GBC) that is accidentally discovered during cholecystectomy to treat benign lesions. We aimed to compare the prognosis of IGBC patients who underwent simultaneous radical resection (SIR) vs salvage radical resection (SAR).

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed data for IGBC patients admitted to Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital from January 2000 to May 2016. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan–Meier (univariate) and COX regression (multivariate) analyses.

Results

Eighty-four patients with IGBC underwent radical resection; 43/84 underwent SIR, and 41/84 underwent SAR. Compared with SIR, the SAR group was more likely to receive comprehensive preoperative radiographic evaluation, port-site excision, and have more lymph nodes excised (all P < 0.05). Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated that the prognosis in the SAR group was better than that in SIR (overall survival: P = 0.050, recurrence-free survival: P = 0.028). Regression analysis indicated that the type of radical resection (SIR/SAR) was not an independent prognostic factor (overall survival: P = 0.737, recurrence-free survival: P = 0.957).

Conclusion

Patients undergoing SAR had non-inferior survival compared with SIR. It is possible that patients in SAR underwent preoperative radiographical evaluations more comprehensively and the surgical operations were more well performed.

Incidence and Preoperative Predictor Factors of Gallbladder Cancer Before Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: a Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Many cases of gallbladder cancer (GBC) were made incidentally after cholecystectomy for presumed benign disease. The aim of this review is to assess the preoperative predictor factors of gallbladder cancer.

METHODS

This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines when it was applicable. We conducted bibliographic researches on October 2nd, 2019, in the following sources: The National Library of Medicine through PubMed, Cochrane database, and Google scholar. We have assessed the univariate and multivariate analysis outcomes.

RESULTS

We included ten studies. Incidence of incidental GBC was 0.36%. Seven studies reported age as a significant predictive factor of iGBC. Comorbidities were the second significant predictor. One study found that iGBC group was more likely to have elevated TB, DB, PAL, and ALT. Another study reported a significantly higher rate of TB, PAL, and AST. One study concluded that elevated CA19-9 combined with CEA or CA-125 was significantly more frequent in the group with iGBC. Polyps, porcelain GB, GB wall thickness, and CBD dilation were reported to be associated with iGBC. iGBC group were more likely to have solitary and larger GS and gallbladder wall thickening, essentially focal.

CONCLUSION

Incidence of iGBC was 0.365% varying between 0.19 and 1.6% of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and about 50% of GBC cases. This highlights the deficiency of preoperative diagnostic features. Despite the efforts made, the rate of this condition is still high, underlining the need of new radiological technologies.

A risk score model to predict incidental gallbladder cancer in patients scheduled for cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) has a poor prognosis. The aim was to develop and validate a preoperative risk score for incidental gallbladder cancer (IGBC) in patients scheduled for cholecystectomy.

METHODS

Data registered in the nationwide Swedish Registry for Gallstone Surgery (GallRiks) was analyzed, including the derivation cohort (n = 28915, 2007-2014) and the validation cohort (n = 7851, 2014-2016). An additive risk score model based on odds ratio was created.

RESULTS

The scoring model to predict IGBC includes age, female gender, previous cholecystitis, and either jaundice or acute cholecystitis. The calibration by HL test and discrimination by AUROC was 8.27 (P = 0.291) and 0.76 in the derivation cohort (214 IGBC) and 14.28 (P = 0.027) and 0.79 in the validation cohort (35 IGBC). The scoring system was applied to three risk-groups, based on the risk of having IGBC, eg. the high-risk group (>8 points) included 7878 patients, with 154 observed and 148 expected IGBC cases.

CONCLUSION

We present the first risk score model to predict IGBC. The model estimates the expected risk for the individual patient and may help to optimize treatment strategies.

Safe, selective histopathological examination of gallbladder specimens: a systematic review

Background

Routine histopathological examination after cholecystectomy is costly, but the prevalence of unsuspected gallbladder cancer (incidental GBC) is low. This study determined whether selective histopathological examination is safe.

Methods

A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library was performed. Pooled incidences of incidental and truly incidental GBC (GBC detected during histopathological examination without preoperative or intraoperative suspicion) were estimated using a random‐effects model. The clinical consequences of truly incidental GBC were assessed.

Results

Seventy‐three studies (232 155 patients) were included. In low‐incidence countries, the pooled incidence was 0·32 (95 per cent c.i. 0·25 to 0·42) per cent for incidental GBC and 0·18 (0·10 to 0·35) per cent for truly incidental GBC. Subgroup analysis of studies in which surgeons systematically examined the gallbladder revealed a pooled incidence of 0·04 (0·01 to 0·14) per cent. In high‐incidence countries, corresponding pooled incidences were 0·83 (0·58 to 1·18), 0·44 (0·21 to 0·91) and 0·08 (0·02 to 0·39) per cent respectively. Clinical consequences were reported for 176 (39·3 per cent) of 448 patients with truly incidental GBC. Thirty‐three patients (18·8 per cent) underwent secondary surgery. Subgroup analysis showed that at least half of GBC not detected during the surgeon's systematic examination of the gallbladder was early stage (T1a status or below) and of no clinical consequence.

Conclusion

Selective histopathological examination of the gallbladder after initial macroscopic assessment by the surgeon seems safe and could reduce costs.

Axillary metastases after port site recurrences of gallbladder carcinoma: a case report

Background

Incidental gallbladder carcinoma is often discovered after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholecystitis or cholecystolithiasis. Port site recurrences may occur. Patients with port site metastases of gallbladder carcinoma have a poor prognosis.

Case presentation

A 61-year-old man underwent an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy because of cholecystitis and gallstones. Pathology revealed a gallbladder carcinoma. After referral to a tertiary center, radical re-resection followed.

Three years later, an epigastric port site recurrence emerged, partially fixed to the xiphoid process. A wide abdominal wall resection was performed, including part of the xiphoid process. Follow-up was continued with periodical imaging and standard blood work.

Three years after resection of this port site metastasis, the patient presented with an occasionally painful mass in the left axilla. Pathology revealed the presence of an adenocarcinoma, most likely arising from the prior gallbladder carcinoma.

Given the extensive dissemination and limited symptoms in the axillary node, we decided against a surgical intervention, instead of adopting a wait-and-see policy. Disease progression occurred within 1 year, and the patient was treated with palliative radiotherapy, followed by palliative chemotherapy.

The patient died of metastatic disease approximately 6.5 years after the initial cholecystectomy.

Conclusions

Port site recurrences of (incidental) gallbladder carcinoma occur after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, despite preventive perioperative measures. Patients with port site recurrences can develop axillary lymph node metastases, similar to other truncal malignancies. Surgical interventions should be limited.

Educational Case: Incidental Gallbladder Adenocarcinoma

The following fictional case is intended as a learning tool within the Pathology Competencies for Medical Education (PCME), a set of national standards for teaching pathology. These are divided into three basic competencies: Disease Mechanisms and Processes, Organ System Pathology, and Diagnostic Medicine and Therapeutic Pathology. For additional information, and a full list of learning objectives for all three competencies, see http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2374289517715040. ¹.

Gallbladder Cancer: Diagnosis, Surgical Management, and Adjuvant Therapies

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is an often lethal disease, but surgical resection is potentially curative. Symptoms may be misdiagnosed as biliary colic; over half of new diagnoses are made after laparoscopic cholecystectomy for presumed benign disease. Gallbladder polyps >1 cm should prompt additional imaging and cholecystectomy. For GBC diagnosed after cholecystectomy, tumors T1b and greater necessitate radical cholecystectomy. Radical cholecystectomy includes staging laparoscopy, hepatic resection, and locoregional lymph node clearance to achieve R0 resection. Patients with locally advanced disease (T3 or T4), hepatic-sided T2 tumors, node positivity, or R1 resection may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. Chemotherapy increases survival in unresectable disease.

Safety of single-incision robotic cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder disease: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Multiport laparoscopic cholecystectomy (MLC) is the gold standard technique for cholecystectomy. In order to reduce postoperative pain and improve cosmetic results, the application of the single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) technique was introduced, leading surgeons to face important challenges. Robotic technology has been proposed to overcome some of these limitations. The purpose of this review is to assess the safety of single-incision robotic cholecystectomy (SIRC) for benign disease.

METHODS

An Embase and Pubmed literature search was performed in February 2017. Randomized controlled trial and prospective observational studies were selected and assessed using PRISMA recommendations. Primary outcome was overall postoperative complication rate. Secondary outcomes were postoperative bile leak rate, total conversion rate, operative time, wound complication rate, postoperative hospital stay, and port site hernia rate. The outcomes were analyzed in Forest plots based on fixed and random effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic.

RESULTS

A total of 13 studies provided data about 1010 patients who underwent to SIRC for benign disease of gallbladder. Overall postoperative complications rate was 11.6% but only 4/1010 (0.4%) patients required further surgery. A postoperative bile leak was reported in 3/950 patients (0.3%). Conversion occurred in 4.2% of patients. Mean operative time was 86.7 min including an average of 42 min should be added as for robotic console time. Wound complications occurred in 3.7% of patients. Median postoperative hospital stay was 1 day. Port site hernia at the latest follow-up available was reported in 5.2% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of the Da Vinci robot in single-port cholecystectomy seems to have similar results in terms of incidence and grade of complications compared to standard laparoscopy. In addition, it seems affected by the same limitations of single-port surgery, consisting of an increased operative time and incidence of port site hernia.

Clues to predict incidental gallbladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Consequences of incidental gallbladder cancer (iGBC) following cholecystectomy may include repeat operation (depending on T stage) and worse survival (if bile spillage occurred), both avoidable if iGBC were suspected preoperatively.

METHODS

A retrospective single-institution review was done. Ultrasound images for cases and controls were blindly reviewed by a radiologist. Chi-square and Student's t tests, as well as logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used. A P ≤ 0.01 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Among 5796 cholecystectomies performed 2000-2013, 26 (0.45%) were iGBC cases. These patients were older (75.61 versus 52.27 years), had more laparoscopic-to-open conversions (23.1% versus 3.9%), underwent more imaging tests, had larger common bile duct diameter (7.13 versus 5.04 mm) and higher alkaline phosphatase. Ultrasound imaging showed that gallbladder wall thickening (GBWT) without pericholecystic fluid (PCCF), but not focal-versus-diffuse GBWT, was associated significantly with iGBC (73.9% versus 47.4%). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, GBWT without PCCF, and age were the strongest predictors of iGBC. The consequences iGBC depended significantly on intraoperative bile spillage, with nearly all such patients developing carcinomatosis and significantly worse survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Besides age, GBWT, dilated common bile duct, and elevated alkaline phosphatase, number of preoperative imaging modalities and the presence of GBWT without PCCF are useful predictors of iGBC. Bile spillage causes poor survival in patients with iGBC.

Predictors of incidental gallbladder cancer in patients undergoing cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder disease: Results from a population-based gallstone surgery registry

BACKGROUND

Gallbladder cancer is a rare neoplasm with a poor prognosis. Early diagnosis and correct treatment strategy is important. The aim of this study was to identify predictors for incidental gallbladder cancer.

METHODS

Data from cholecystectomies registered in the nationwide Swedish Register for Gallstone Surgery between 2007 and 2014 were analyzed for incidental gallbladder cancer. Exclusion criteria were patients with a gallbladder not sent for histopathology, preoperative suspicion of polyps/gallbladder cancer, and indication for operation for other reasons than gallstone disease. Predictive factors for incidental gallbladder cancer were identified using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 86,154 procedures were registered in the Swedish Register for Gallstone Surgery. Of these, 36,355 patients were included in the analysis, and 215 of the included patients had incidental gallbladder cancer (0.59%). Mean age was 70 ± 11 years for index cases and 54 ± 16 years for the control group, and 80% of cases and 60% of controls were female. Predictors for incidental gallbladder cancer were older age (odds ratio = 1.08; P < .001), female sex (odds ratio = 3.58; P < .001), previous cholecystitis (odds ratio = 1.37; P = .045), and the combination of acute cholecystitis without jaundice (odds ratio = 1.39; P = .041) and jaundice without acute cholecystitis (odds ratio = 2.02; P = .009). A preoperative risk model including these factors gave an area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.82. By adding macroscopic evaluation of the gallbladder by the surgeon, the area under receiver operating characteristic curve increased to 0.87. Intraoperatively suspected gallbladder cancer was confirmed as cancer in 31% of the cases.

CONCLUSION

Incidental gallbladder cancer is more likely to be diagnosed in older patients, women, and after previous cholecystitis. Jaundice and acute cholecystitis were also shown to be important risk factors. Intraoperative inspection of the gallbladder improved the risk model.

Laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy for carcinoma gallbladder: A case series

Introduction: Nowadays laparoscopic surgery is a very common form of treatment strategy for digestive diseases and these ‘keyhole’ surgeries provide many benefits to the patients. However, controversy exists when the laparoscopic surgery is done for early gallbladder cancer. The aim of our study was to report two such cases to see feasibility and safety of laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy with lymph node dissection. Case Series: Two patients underwent laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy with lymph node dissection for gallbladder carcinoma. Both patients were preoperatively diagnosed. Mean operative time was 172 minutes, and average estimated blood loss was 225 ml. There was no intraoperative complication. The liver dissection was done by Harmonic in one case and by Waterjet in the other case. Average hospital stay after surgery was four days. Postoperative morbidity included minimal bile leak in one patient only and no bile leak in patient operated with Waterjet system. Postoperative histopathology revealed adenocarcinoma of gallbladder with no lymph node invasion T2N0M0 (Stage II) in both patients. The mean lymph node retrieval was 5.5. Both patients received adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine and carboplatin. Conclusion: We conclude that laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy with lymph node dissection is safe and beneficial for the patients with T1b/T2 gallbladder carcinoma and is useful in selected patients with a preoperative suspicion of early-stage gallbladder cancer by sparing them the necessity of a second-stage open procedure.

Current Role of Minimally Invasive Radical Cholecystectomy for Gallbladder Cancer

Background. For Tis and T1a gallbladder cancer (GbC), laparoscopic cholecystectomy can provide similar survival outcomes compared to open cholecystectomy. However, for patients affected by resectable T1b or more advanced GbC, open approach radical cholecystectomy (RC), consisting in gallbladder liver bed resection or segment 4b-5 bisegmentectomy, with locoregional lymphadenectomy, is considered the gold standard while minimally invasive RC (MiRC) is skeptically considered. Aim. To analyze current literature on perioperative and oncologic outcomes of MiRC for patients affected by GbC. Methods. A Medline review of published articles until June 2016 concerning MiRC for GbC was performed. Results. Data relevant for this review were presented in 13 articles, including 152 patients undergoing an attempt of MiRC for GbC. No randomized clinical trial was found. The approach was laparoscopic in 147 patients and robotic in five. Conversion was required in 15 (10%) patients. Postoperative complications rate was 10% with no mortality. Long-term survival outcomes were reported by 11 studies, two of them showing similar oncologic results when comparing MiRC with matched open RC. Conclusions. Although randomized clinical trials are still lacking and only descriptive studies reporting on limited number of patients are available, current literature seems suggesting that when performed at highly specialized centers, MiRC for GbC is safe and feasible and has oncologic outcomes comparable to open RC.

Incidental gallbladder cancer after routine cholecystectomy: when should we suspect it preoperatively and what are predictors of patient survival?

Purpose

In about 1% of cases, incidental gallbladder cancers (iGBC) are found after routine cholecystectomy. The aim of this study is to compare clinical features of iGBC with benign GB disease and to evaluate factors affecting recurrence and survival.

Methods

Between January 1998 and March 2014, 4,629 patients received cholecystectomy and 73 iGBC patients (1.6%) were identified. We compared clinical features of 4,556 benign GB disease patients with 73 iGBC patients, and evaluated operative outcomes and prognostic factors in 56 eligible patients.

Results

The iGBC patients were older and concomitant diseases such as hypertension and anemia were more common than benign ones. And an age of more than 65 years was the only risk factor of iGBC. Adverse prognostic factors affecting patients' survival were age over 65, advanced histology, lymph node metastasis, and lymphovascular invasion on multivariate analysis. Age over 65 years, lymph node involvement, and lymphovascular invasion were identified as unfavorable factors affecting survival in subgroup analysis of extended cholecystectomy with bile duct resection (EC with BDR, n = 22).

Conclusion

Prior to routine cholecystectomy, incidental GB cancer should be suspected especially in elderly patients. And advanced age, lymph node metastasis, and lymphovascular invasion are important prognostic factors in EC with BDR cohorts.

The surgical management of gallbladder cancer

Among biliary tract cancers, gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a potentially lethal malignancy with abysmal long-term survival. Surgery is central to the management of GBC, and presently, provides the only ray of hope for long-term survival. Radical cholecystectomy, which includes cholecystectomy with a limited hepatic resection, regional lymphadenectomy and adjacent organ resection if required is used to encompass the tumor with negative margins - R'0' resection is the standard surgical treatment for the management of GBC. Absence of randomized controlled trials to address various surgical controversies due to rarity of disease in western world, advanced disease at presentation, high frequency of unresectability/inoperability at surgery, deficient neoadjuvant/adjuvant strategies and nihilistic views of oncologists due to aggressive disease biology has resulted in marked heterogeneity in surgical strategies employed to manage GBC across the surgical centers globally.

Predictors of incidental gallbladder cancer in elderly patients

BACKGROUND

At the time of diagnosis, most patients with gallbladder cancer are in advanced stage and the cancer is unresectable. Long-term survivors are usually seen in a small number of patients with incidental gallbladder cancer. This study aimed to identify preoperative predictors of incidental gallbladder cancer in elderly patients.

METHODS

A total of 4014 patients of more than 44 years old who had undergone cholecystectomy at our department from January 2000 to December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate and multivariate modalities were used to identify the predictive factors of incidental gallbladder cancer.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine of the 4014 patients who had undergone cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder diseases were histologically diagnosed as having incidental gallbladder cancer. Multivariate analysis identified that elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 combined with carcinoembryonic antigen and/or carbohydrate antigen 125 (P=0.045), a gallbladder polyp greater than or equal to 1.2 cm (P=0.043) and focal gallbladder wall thickening of more than or equal to 5 mm (P=0.002) were predictive factors of incidental gallbladder cancer.

CONCLUSION

Cholecystectomy is suggested for patients with these predictive factors and intraoperative frozen section should be considered to rule out carcinoma.

Incidental gall bladder cancers: Are they truly incidental?

AIM: To seek and analyze features suggestive of gallbladder cancer (GBC) on preoperative imaging and intraoperative findings in patients diagnosed as having incidental GBC (IGBC).

METHODS: The study was conducted on 79 patients of IGBC managed in our department over a 10-year period (2003-2012). Review of preoperative imaging and operative notes was done to ascertain any suspicion of malignancy-in-retrospect.

RESULTS: Of the 79 patients, Ultrasound abdomen showed diffuse thickening, not suspicious of malignancy in 5 patients, and diffuse suspicious thickening was seen in 4 patients. Focal thickening suspicious of malignancy was present in 24 patients. Preoperative computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging was done in 9 patients for suspicion of malignancy. In 5 patients, difficult Cholecystectomy was encountered due to dense/inflammatory adhesions. Intraoperative findings showed focal thickening of the gallbladder and a gallbladder mass in 9 and 17 patients respectively. On overall analysis, 37 patients had preoperative imaging or intraoperative findings suggestive of malignancy, which was either a missed GBC or an unsuspected/unexpected GBC. In 42 (53.2%) patients, there was no evidence suggestive of malignancy and was an unanticipated diagnosis.

CONCLUSION: Our study highlights a potential and not-so-rare pitfall of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. A greater awareness of this clinical entity along with a high index of suspicion and a low threshold for conversion to open procedure, especially in endemic areas may avert avoidable patient morbidity and mortality.

Clinicopathological features of gallbladder papillary adenocarcinoma

Although patients with gallbladder papillary adenocarcinoma (GBPA) appear to have better prognoses than patients with other pathological subtypes of gallbladder carcinoma (GBC), the clinicopathological features and outcomes of GBPA have not been fully explored. This study therefore analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of GBPA.This study included 16 patients with GBPA and 101 with gallbladder adenocarcinoma (GBA) not otherwise specified (NOS), all diagnosed pathologically after surgical resection. Clinicopathological and survival data were retrospectively collected and compared. Fever was significantly more common in GBPA (7/16 vs 10/101; P = 0.000). Serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level was increased in 1 of 9 patients with GBPA and 39 of 76 with GBA (P = 0.022). More patients with GBPA underwent curative resection (15/16 vs 54/101; P = 0.009). Pathologically, patients with GBPA were at much earlier tumor (T) (4 in situ, 8 T1; P = 0.000) and Tumor, Node, Metastases (TNM) stages (P = 0.000). The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were significantly higher in patients with GBPA (100%, 76.9%, and 76.9%, respectively), than in patients with GBA (72.2%, 38.8%, and 31.0%, respectively; P = 0.001). Preoperative jaundice (odds ratio 7.69; 95% confidence interval, 1.53-38.76; P = 0.013) was a significant prognostic factor in patients with GBA, but was no longer significant when the patients with GBA and GBPA were pooled together. The clinicopathological features of patients with GBPA differed from those in patients with GBA (not otherwise specified). Pooling of patients may mask prognostic factors in each group.

Laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy with lymph node dissection for gallbladder carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic surgery has been widely employed in the field of digestive surgery, since the minimally invasive procedure provides a significant benefit to patients. However, laparoscopic curative surgery for gallbladder cancer has been rarely described. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and validity of laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy with lymph node dissection (Lap-RC) to treat with T1b/T2 gallbladder carcinoma.

METHODS

A total of 11 patients underwent Lap-RC for gallbladder carcinoma from November 2001 until June 2013. While 4 patients were preoperatively diagnosed with T1b/T2 gallbladder carcinoma, 7 patients were diagnosed with incidental T1b/T2 gallbladder carcinoma by postoperative pathological examination after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Common bile duct resection and biliary tract reconstruction were performed in 2 cases. End points in this clinical study were tumor recurrence and survival of patients.

RESULTS

Mean operative time was 196 min, and average hospital stay after surgery was 6.4 days, excluding 2 cases with biliary tract reconstruction. One patient died of recurrence of cancer 89 months after surgery, and another patient died of other reason with local recurrence 39 months after the operation. The other 9 patients were all alive without recurrence at this writing. The 5-year survival rate was 100 % for T1b patients and 83.3 % for T2. These results indicate that almost equivalent outcomes compared with open surgery in terms of curability were achieved.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that pure laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy with lymph node dissection is safe and beneficial for the patients with T1b/T2 gallbladder carcinoma.

Incidental gallbladder cancer at cholecystectomy: when should the surgeon be suspicious?

BACKGROUND

Preoperative predictors of incidental gallbladder cancer (iGBC) have been poorly defined despite the frequency with which cholecystectomy is performed. The objective of this study was to define the incidence of and consider risk factors for iGBC at cholecystectomy.

METHODS

The American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database (2005-2009) was used to identify all patients who underwent cholecystectomy (N = 91,260). Patients with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, diagnosis of gallbladder malignancy who underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC; n = 80,924) or open cholecystectomy (OC; n = 10,336) alone were included.

RESULTS

The incidence of iGBC was 0.19% (n = 170) for all cholecystectomy cases, but 0.05% at LC, 0.60% at LC converted to OC (P < 0.001 vs LC), and 1.13% at OC (P < 0.001 vs others). Patients undergoing OC were 17.3 times more likely to have iGBC than LC patients. Age 65 years or older, Asian or African American race, ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) class 3 or more, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, weight loss more than 10%, alkaline phosphatase levels 120 units/L or more, and albumin levels 3.6 g/dL or less were associated with iGBC. Multiple logistic regression identified having an OC, age 65 years or older, Asian or African American race, an elevated alkaline phosphatase level, and female sex as independent risk factors. Patients with 1, 2, 3, and 4 of these factors had a 6.3-, 16.7-, 30.0-, and 47.4-fold risk of iGBC, respectively, from a zero-risk factor baseline of 0.03%.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgeons' suspicion for GBC should be heightened when they are performing or converting from LC to OC and when patients are older, Asian or African American, female, and have an elevated alkaline phosphatase level.

Predictive factors for incidental gallbladder dysplasia and carcinoma

BACKGROUND

This study aims to analyze clinical characteristics and demographics of all patients admitted for cholecystectomy in a tertiary referral center to determine predictors of incidental gallbladder dysplasia (IGBD) and incidental gallbladder carcinoma (IGBC).

METHODS

A retrospective analyses of clinical, demographic, and histologic features of patients undergoing cholecystectomy in a single tertiary institution from 2005-2012 were performed using a logistic regression model to determine the predictors of IGBD and IGBC.

RESULTS

Some 771 (28 conversions to open surgery [3.6%]) and 93 patients (10.7%) underwent laparoscopic and open cholecystectomies for gallstone disease, respectively. At final pathology, IGBD (low-grade [n = 10], high-grade [n = 2], mixed-grade [n = 1], and adenoma-associated [n = 5] dysplasia) was found in 18 patients (2%; median age, 45 y; interquartile range, 42.5-63.5; male-to-female ratio, 1:2; six Caucasian; and 12 Asian). IGBC was found in seven patients (0.8%; median age, 69 y; interquartile range, 69-72; one Afro-Caribbean; four Caucasian; and two Asian). Logistic regression analysis revealed Asian patients to be at a higher risk of IGBD (odds ratio [OR], 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-8.0; P = 0.02). Only age (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.04-1.2; P < 0.01) and polypoid lesions (OR, 37.4; 95% CI, 2.97-470.6; P = 0.01) were significantly associated with IGBC. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that age >68 y correlated positively to IGBC.

CONCLUSIONS

IGBD and IGBC are fairly common incidental histologic finding after cholecystectomy for gallstone disease. When considering cholecystectomy, patients' demographics, in particular age and race, should always be considered as this might help the surgeon and the pathologist to institute the appropriate treatment.

Comparison of clinical outcomes of incidental and non- incidental gallbladder cancers: a single-center cross- sectional study

BACKGROUND

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a rare malignancy characterized by high invasiveness and poor survival. In a nation-wide cancer survey, the age-standardized incidence rate of GBC was the highest in Jeju Island compared to 15 other provinces in Korea. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of GBC according to the nature of diagnosis, that is, incidental versus non-incidental.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Consecutive patients who were newly diagnosed with GBC at the Digestive Disease Center and Department of Internal Medicine, Cheju Halla General Hospital, between November 2008 and November 2011, were enrolled and divided into 2 groups: incidental gallbladder cancer (IGBC) and non-incidental gallbladder cancer (NIGBC). Clinical outcomes were retrospectively compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine patients were enrolled and analyzed in our study. Thirty-three (41.8%) and 46 (58.2%) were identified as IGBC and NIGBC, respectively. The proportions of patients with gallstone disease, gallbladder polyp, and cholecystectomy were significantly different between the two groups. Additionally, the median survival rate was significantly higher for patients with IGBC than for those with NIGBC (11.4, 95% confidence interval, 5.6-13.7 vs 4.0, 95% confidence interval 3.03-5.96 months; p=0.01) during a median follow-up period of 5.7 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with IGBC showed better clinical prognosis than those with NIGBC. Therefore, patients with gallstone disease or gallbladder polyps, major predictive risk factors for IGBC, should undergo advanced work-up for chelecystectomy.