Laparoscopic Radical Cholecystectomy for Primary or Incidental Early Gallbladder Cancer: The New Rules Governing the Treatment of Gallbladder Cancer

Evaluation of malignancy in gallbladder tumors using the apparent diffusion coefficient obtained by diffusion‑weighted MRI

The utility of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of diffusion-weighted image (DWI) magnetic resonance imaging was examined for evaluating malignancy and prognosis in gallbladder tumors. A total of 63 patients (benign tumors, n=33; cancer, n=30) were included after surgical resection for gallbladder tumors, and their mean ADC values by DWI were obtained. Cases of advanced gallbladder cancer (n=25) were divided into ADCHigh and ADCLow groups, and clinicopathological factors were compared. In 63 cases, ADC values in advanced gallbladder cancer were significantly lower compared with benign tumors and non-advanced gallbladder cancer (P<0.05), and ADC values in early gallbladder cancer were also significantly lower compared with benign tumors (P<0.05). In 25 advanced gallbladder cancer cases, the ADCLow group tended to have a higher rate of advanced stage disease (P=0.09). Disease-free survival and overall survival (OS) of the ADCLow group were worse compared with the ADCHigh group (P<0.01). In the multivariate analysis of OS, poor differentiation and low ADC value were independent prognostic factors. ADC values may be useful for evaluating tumor malignancies in gallbladder tumors.

Laparoscopic versus open extended cholecystectomy with bi-segmentectomy (s4b and s5) in patients with gallbladder cancer

Introduction:

The outcome of laparoscopic extended cholecystectomy (EC) with wedge hepatic resection (LECW) in patients with gallbladder cancer (GBC) has been compared with that of open EC with wedge hepatic resection (OECW), but studies comparing laparoscopic EC with bi-segmentectomy (LECB) with open EC with bi-segmentectomy (OECB) are lacking.

Patients and Methods:

This retrospective study comprised of 68 patients with GBC who were offered either LECB or OECB from July 2011 to July 2018. Patients were divided into laparoscopic group (LG) and open group (OG), and appropriate statistical methods were used for comparison.

Results:

Out of the total 68 patients, 30 patients were in LG and 38 patients were in OG. Demographic, clinical and biochemical characteristics were similar except significantly higher number of male patients in OG (P = 0.01). In LG versus OG, the mean operation time was 286 versus 274 min (P = 0.565), mean blood loss was 158 versus 219 ml (P = 0.006) and mean hospital stay was 6.4 versus 9 days (P = 0.0001). The complication rate was 16.6% in LG and 31.5% in OG, but this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.259). The median number of lymph nodes was 12 in both LG and OG (P = 0.62). Distribution of patients among American Joint Committee on Cancer stages I to IV was similar in both the groups (P = 0.5). Fifty percent of the patients in both the groups received adjuvant treatment (P = 1). In LG versus OG, the recurrence rate was 20% versus 28.9% (P = 0.4), mean recurrence-free survival was 48 months versus 44 months (P = 0.35) and overall survival was 51 months versus 46 months (P = 0.45). In LG versus OG, 1, 3 and 5-year survival was 96% versus 94%, 79% versus 72% and 79% versus 62% (P = 0.45). The median follow-up was statistically significantly shorter (24 vs. 36 months) in LG versus OG (P = 0.0001).

Conclusions:

The oncological outcome and survival after LECB in patients with resectable GBC is not inferior to that after OECB. Laparoscopic approach has a potential to improve perioperative outcome in patients with GBC.

Gallbladder Carcinoma and Its Differential Diagnosis at MRI: What Radiologists Should Know

Gallbladder carcinoma is the most common cancer of the biliary system. It is challenging to diagnose because patients are often asymptomatic or present with nonspecific symptoms that mimic common benign diseases. Surgical excision is the only curative therapy and is best accomplished at early non-locally advanced stages. Unfortunately, gallbladder cancer often manifests at late locally advanced stages, precluding cure. Early tumors are often incidentally detected at imaging or at cholecystectomy performed for another indication. Typical imaging features of localized disease include asymmetric gallbladder wall thickening, polyps larger than 1.0 cm, and a solid mass replacing the gallbladder lumen. Advanced tumors are often infiltrative and can be confusing at CT and MRI owing to their large size. Determination of the origin of the lesion is paramount to narrow the differential diagnosis but is often challenging. It is important to identify gallbladder cancer and distinguish it from other benign and malignant hepatobiliary processes. Since surgical resection is the only curative treatment option, radiologist understanding and interpretation of pathways of nodal and infiltrative tumor spread can direct surgery or preclude patients who may not benefit from surgery. While both CT and MRI are effective, MRI provides superior soft-tissue characterization of the gallbladder and biliary tree and is a useful imaging tool for diagnosis, staging, and evaluation of treatment response. ^©RSNA, 2020.

Totally Laparoscopic Radical Cholecystectomy for Gallbladder Cancer: A Single Center Experience

Background: Primary laparoscopic approach for the treatment of cancers of the biliary tract is not popular in the surgical community. The aim of this study is to report the short-term data of patients who underwent total laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy for gallbladder cancer (GBC) at a single center of specialized hepatobiliary surgery. Methods: From November 2016 to January 2019, we routinely performed a laparoscopic approach for two groups of patients: (1) patients with primary GBC (diagnosed preoperatively) and (2) patients with incidental GBC (IGBC) discovered after cholecystectomy. Results: Our retrospective study included 18 patients (7 primary GBCs, 11 IGBCs). Conversion rate from laparoscopy to laparotomy was 28.6% and 9.1%, respectively, for the two groups, but this difference was not statistically significant (P = .28). Only 3 patients had liver recurrence (27.3%) and 1 had liver invasion (14.3%). A more advanced T category and TNM stage were presented in the preoperative suspicion cases (T3-T4 18.2% versus 57.1%, P = .06, stage IVA-B 9.1% versus 71.4%, P = .017). Regional lymphadenectomy was performed in 15 patients, in 73.3% the total number of lymph nodes (total LNs) retrieved was more than 7 (7-12 LNs in 66.7% of patients and >12 LNs in 6.6% of patients). The mean postoperative long stay was 8 days excluding for cases who developed complication. Conclusions: Laparoscopy can be considered a safe treatment for IGBC or primary GBC. The T3 stage with only liver involvement was not a contraindication. The real reasons that lead to convert the laparoscopic procedure were due to oncological concerns, unrelated to the liver infiltration.

Systematic review of management of incidental gallbladder cancer after cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Gallbladder cancer is rare, but cancers detected incidentally after cholecystectomy are increasing. The aim of this study was to review the available data for current best practice for optimal management of incidental gallbladder cancer.

METHODS

A systematic PubMed search of the English literature to May 2018 was conducted.

RESULTS

The search identified 12 systematic reviews and meta-analyses, in addition to several consensus reports, multi-institutional series and national audits. Some 0·25-0·89 per cent of all cholecystectomy specimens had incidental gallbladder cancer on pathological examination. Most patients were staged with pT2 (about half) or pT1 (about one-third) cancers. Patients with cancers confined to the mucosa (T1a or less) had 5-year survival rates of up to 100 per cent after cholecystectomy alone. For cancers invading the muscle layer of the gallbladder wall (T1b or above), reresection is recommended. The type, extent and timing of reresection remain controversial. Observation time may be used for new cross-sectional imaging with CT and MRI. Perforation at initial surgery had a higher risk of disease dissemination. Gallbladder cancers are PET-avid, and PET may detect residual disease and thus prevent unnecessary surgery. Routine laparoscopic staging before reresection is not warranted for all stages. Risk of peritoneal carcinomatosis increases with each T category. The incidence of port-site metastases is about 10 per cent. Routine resection of port sites has no effect on survival. Adjuvant chemotherapy is poorly documented and probably underused.

CONCLUSION

Management of incidental gallbladder cancer continues to evolve, with more refined suggestions for subgroups at risk and a selective approach to reresection.

Short-term outcomes of minimally invasive surgery for patients presenting with suspected gallbladder cancer: Report of 8 cases

INTRODUCTION

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for gallbladder cancer (GBCa) has traditionally been discouraged, with limited studies reporting on its outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term outcomes of MIS for patients with GBCa or suspected GBCa.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 8 consecutive patients who underwent MIS for GBCa by a single surgeon over a 22-month period between 2015 and 2017.

RESULTS

Three patients underwent robotic surgery, while five underwent conventional laparoscopic surgery. Four patients presented with histologically proven GbCa detected incidentally after cholecystectomy. All 4 patients underwent resection of Segment 4b/5. Of these, 3 underwent hilar lymphadenectomy and 1 underwent hilar lymph node sampling. Four patients presenting with suspected GBCa underwent upfront extended cholecystectomy. Two patients who had malignancy on frozen section underwent hilar lymphadenectomy. The median operation time was 242.5 (range, 165-530) min, and the median blood loss was 175 (range, 50-700) ml. The median post-operative hospital stay was 3.5 (range, 2-8) days. There were no open conversion, post-operative morbidities and mortalities. Six had histologically proven GBCa. Five were T3 and one had T2 cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study confirm the short-term safety and feasibility of MIS for patients with GBCa, as all eight patients underwent successful MIS with no major morbidity or mortality. Further studies with larger patient cohorts with long-term follow-up are needed to determine the oncologic outcomes and the definitive role of MIS in treating GBCa.

Robotic surgery for gallbladder cancer: Operative technique and early outcomes

BACKGROUND

The objective was to elucidate the operative technique of robotic radical cholecystectomy (RRC) and to compare the early outcomes of RRC with open radical cholecystectomy (ORC) for gallbladder cancer (GBC).

METHODS

Patients who underwent RRC for suspected or incidental GBC between July 2015 and August 2018 were analyzed. Patients who underwent ORC during the same period and fulfilled the study criteria formed the control group.

RESULTS

During the study period, 27 patients who underwent RRC formed the study group (group A) and 70 matched patients who underwent ORC formed the control group (group B). Median surgical time was higher in group A (295 vs 200 minutes, P < 0.001). However, median blood loss (200 vs 600 mL, P < 0.001), postoperative hospital stay (4 vs 5 days, P = 0.046) and postoperative morbidity (1 vs 15 patients, P = 0.035) were lower in group A. Median lymph node yield was 10 (range = 2-21) for group A and 9 (range = 2-25) for group B, and was comparable (P = 0.408). During a median follow up of 9 (1-46) months, two patients in group A developed recurrence (no port site recurrence).

CONCLUSION

RRC is safe and feasible and the short-term results are compared with ORC.

Outcomes of surgery for gallbladder cancer: A single-center experience

OBJECTIVE:

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a rare clinical entity that has a poor prognosis. Radical resection with meticulous lymph node dissection is the only treatment option. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of radical resection for GBC in the early postoperative period with the viewpoint of clinicopathological correlation.

METHODS:

Patients (n=24) who underwent radical resection with lymph node dissection for GBC between 2015 and 2017 were included. Demographic data, histopathologic tumor type, preoperative tumor markers, pathologic tumor size/stage (depth of invasion), lymph node metastasis and metastasis rates, and postoperative early mortality were evaluated. The patients were grouped in two groups according to lymph node metastases: Group 1 (without lymph node metastasis) and Group 2 (with lymph node metastasis).

RESULTS:

The median age of the patients in Group 1 and Group 2 was 65 (range, 42–89) years and 68 (range, 48–87) years, respectively (p>0.05). The female/male ratio in Group 1 and Group 2 was 4/4 and 13/3, respectively (p>0.05). There was a tendency for increased metastasis in Group 2 compared with Group 1 (31% vs. 0%) (p>0.05). Also, 88% of the tumors in Group 2 were in the advanced stage, whereas the rate was 37% in Group 1 (p<0.05). There was early postoperative mortality in seven patients who underwent resection. Four of the seven patients (43%) were from Group 2 and three (37%) from Group 1 (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Lymph node metastasis in GBC indicates advanced tumor stage. This causes a more complex surgical resection and therefore results in higher early postoperative mortality.