Gallbladder cancer
ICD-10 C23 · ICD-11 2C13

Treatment of Gallbladder Cancer Incidentally Diagnosed After Cholecystectomy (Stage T1b)

Gallbladder carcinoma is occasionally identified incidentally on pathology following cholecystectomy. When confirmed at stage T1b with no metastatic spread, a specific surgical strategy is indicated for sufficiently fit patients.

Clinical Scenario

Gallbladder carcinoma incidentally diagnosed after cholecystectomy, stage T1b, with no metastatic spread. Re-operation with radical intent should be offered to sufficiently fit patients in this setting.

Treatment Approach (Partial Overview)

Management centres on a re-operative surgical procedure carried out with radical intent, involving hepatic resection and regional lymph node clearance. Depending on operative circumstances, additional resection may also be considered.

Treatment Goal

R0 resection — complete surgical removal with no tumour at the margin.

References

DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2022.10.506

In case of incidentally diagnosed GBC (after cholecystectomy), re-operation with radical intent should be offered to sufficiently fit patients with stage T1b disease, provided there is no metastatic spread.

Resection of some or all of segment IVb/V of the liver is carried out together with a lymphadenectomy of the hepatoduodenal ligament.

Resection of the port sites may also be considered if the gallbladder was not removed with a bag or if the gallbladder was perforated.

Basic surgical principles apply, thus resection with no tumour at the margin (R0) is the aim.

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