[Therapy and prognosis of gallbladder cancer]

Prognosis is the same poor as it was for patients with gallbladder carcinoma. Our experiences are based on a review of 92 cases of primary carcinoma of the gallbladder. It should be possible to improve the results of preoperative diagnosis in early stages (tumor-stage I and II) by using ultrasound more and more. Is the gallbladder carcinoma found at histopathological examination after cholecystectomy accidentally, an extended operation with resection of the liver segments IV b, V and VI and lymph node dissection of the hepatoduodenal ligament and of the pancreaticoduodenal and celiac lymph nodes must be recommended. In consideration of risk factors such as age, sex, bigness of gallstones and pathological ultrasound findings we recommend an enlargement of indication for cholecystectomy by asymptomatic cholecystolithiasis and cholecystic disease without gallstone. We don't advocate a prophylactic cholecystectomy.