Gallbladder Cancer: Surgical Therapy

1st order

  • Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) is sufficient only for tumor confined to the gallbladder wall without metastasis.
  • Advanced stages must be carefully evaluated for resectability.
  • Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT; to reduce tumor mass before planned surgery) may be considered.
  • In inoperable tumors, palliative measures (v.a. stents into the bile ducts) may provide relief.

Further notes

  • For gallbladder carcinoma stage T1b (= tumor invasion of the tunica muscularis).
    • Lymphadenectomy (lymph node removal) prolonged cancer-specific and overall patient survival: Lymphadenectomy resulted in a median survival benefit of 69 to 37 months for those undergoing lymphadenectomy
    • Extensive cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) with liver resection (partial liver removal) was not associated with lower mortality (death rate), either without or with lymphadenectomy.