Gallbladder carcinoma – colloquially called gallbladder cancer – (ICD-10-GM C23: Malignant neoplasm of the gallbladder) describes a malignant neoplasm of the gallbladder wall.
Gallbladder carcinoma is one of the rarer neoplasms.
Sex ratio: males to females is 1: 2-3 [due to more frequent occurrence of gallstones in females].
Peak incidence: the maximum incidence of gallbladder carcinoma is beyond the age of 60.
The incidence (frequency of new cases) is 3-5 cases per 100,000 population per year.
Course and prognosis: The prognosis can be described as unfavorable, since the disease usually causes symptoms only at an advanced stage. If the tumor is confined to the gallbladder, the prognosis is favorable. The 5-year survival rate is approximately six percent, since the tumor is usually diagnosed very late. If the tumor is detected early and can be completely removed, the 5-year survival rate is up to 60%.
