Abstract

 

Carcinoma of the gallbladder is a rare malignancy and cholelithiasis exists in most of the patients. The preoperative diagnosis is difficult because the clinical manifestations are nonspecific and often indistinguishable from those of cholecystitis. The majority of tumors are adenocarcinomas. Gallbladder carcinomas localized to the mucosa and submucosa can be adequately treated with cholecystectomy alone. The role of radical surgery in advanced stage disease is controversial. At present, chemotherapy and radiation therapy do not have a major role in the treatment of gallbladder carcinoma. [Journal of Turgut Özal Medical Center 1997;4(1):129-133]

Key Words: Gallbladder, carcinoma, diagnosis, treatment