Regional lymphadenectomy strongly recommended in T1b gallbladder cancer

This article discusses the adequate treatment of early gallbladder cancer (T1a, T1b) and is based on published studies extending over nearly 3 decades. Randomized studies and meta analyses comparing different surgical treatments do not exist. The literature shows that in up to 20% of patients lymph node metastasis are found in T1b gallbladder cancer. Due to high malignancy with early angiolymphatic spread and resistance to chemotherapy and radiation on the one hand, and the relative low operative risk of extended cholecystectomy (cholecystectomy and regional lymphadenectomy) on the other hand, we believe that this procedure is mandatory in early gallbladder cancer.