Primary carcinoma of the gallbladder, the most common malignant tumor in the biliary tract, is unusual, and has a poor prognosis although various diagnostic and surgical techniques have been advanced. With aims of improvement in preoperative
diagnosis
and prognosis, we reviewed 33 patients who had proven primary carcinoma of the gallbladder histologically and had underwent operation at Wonkwang University Hospital, from October, 1984. The results we obtained which are as follows:
1) With regard to age and sex, the mean age was 61, ranging from 22 to 81, and the sex ratio was 1 .2.7 with female prevalence.
2) The preoperative diagnosis rate of gallbladder carcinoma was 42% in this study. 58% of the patients, undiagnosed preoperatively had underwent emergency operation under the impression of acute inflammatory disease within 48 hours.
3) Positive findings in abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography were present in 47% among the undiagnosed patients. The findings were irregular thickening of the gallbladder wall, bizarre intraluminal contents in the gallbladder, and
the
pattern of intrahepatic mass or liver abscess adjacent to the gallbladder in the retrospective review.
4) In 85% of the patients, it as advanced from of carcinoma, above Nevin stage III. And the difference in survival between group of diagnosed and undiagnosed patients preoperatively was not seen.
5) The survival was independent to the time at diagnosis, but that was dependant to the depth of invasion of the carcinoma and the operation method applied.
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