Gallbladder Cancer: Incidence, Risk Factors, Diagnosis

Aim. To analyze current data on the incidence, risk factors, diagnostic methods and prevention of gallbladder cancer (GBC).

Key points. GBC is a malignant tumor arising from the epithelium of the gallbladder, characterized by local and vascular invasion, extensive regional lymphogenous and hematogenous metastasis. GBC is the most common malignant tumor of the biliary tract, characterized by high malignancy and low 5-year survival rate. In international recommendations, gastrointestinal tract is considered as a natural stage of the course of biliary pathology: dyskinesia — cholecystitis — cholelithiasis — GBC. Globally, the incidence of GBC varies significantly among different geographic regions, reaching 27 per 100,000 population in Chile. In Russia, according to the Federal State Statistics Service, the incidence of GBC in 2019 was 1.4 per 100 thousand among men, and 2.5 per 100 thousand among women. The incidence of GBC is associated with female gender and increasing age. In the pathogenesis of gallstones, decisive importance is attached to long-term inflammatory changes in the epithelium due to mechanical trauma to the mucous membrane of the gallbladder by stones and a probable increase in the proportion of secondary bile acids in the bile. In the diagnosis of GBC, the recommendations of the Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, in the first step, particular importance is attached to ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs and biochemical blood test. For a more detailed study, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, endosonography, retrograde cholangiopancreatography, oral cholangioscopy and positron emission tomography are useful. Gallstone disease is one of the five most significant risk factors. The remaining 4 leading risk factors for GBC — ethnicity, genetic predisposition, lifestyle factors (excess weight) and biliary tract infections — are common risk factors for patients with cholelithiasis. The risk of developing GBC increases significantly in patients with stones larger than 2 cm and with the duration of the pathology for more than 5 years. Another significant risk factor for GBC is patients with gallbladder polyps, therefore the article presents the main recommendations of European associations for the management of patients with gallbladder polyps.

Conclusion. GBC is currently considered as a possible and natural stage in the course of cholelithiasis. The risk of developing GBC increases significantly in patients with cholelithiasis and gallbladder polyps. Considering the above, diagnosis of possible complications in elderly patients with cholecystitis and gallstone disease should include a thorough clinical, laboratory and instrumental examination. Preventive measures for people with risk factors for GBC should include optimizing diet, weight loss, and, if possible, expanding the physical activity regime. Taking ursodeoxycholic acid preparations helps reduce the content of hydrophobic bile acids in bile and reduces the likelihood of complications of biliary pathology.

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