Gall bladder carcinoma: the value of histopathological assessment in routine cholecystectomy samples in a hospital based study

Abstract

Introduction: Incidental gall bladder carcinoma is a rare cancer diagnosed during or after cholecystectomy done for benign gall bladder disease. Whether a routine or a selective approach be followed for histopathological evaluation of cholecystectomy specimens is still a matter of debate. Materials and Methods: Eight patients diagnosed with Incidental gall bladder carcinoma over a period of 18 months were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical details including clinical presentation and macroscopic features were reviewed retrospectively. Diagnosis of incidental gall bladder carcinoma was made on histopathological examination. Results: Of the 946 cholecystectomy specimens examined during this period, diagnosis of incidental gall bladder carcinoma was made in eight cases(0.8%) on histopathological evaluation. Conclusion: All gall bladder specimens should be subjected to histopathological evaluation to avoid missing gall bladder carcinoma.