The giant resectable carcinoma of gall bladder-a case report

Gall bladder cancer (GBC) is the fifth most common malignancy in the gastrointestinal system and the most common malignancy of the biliary system. GBC is a very aggressive malignancy having a 5 year survival rate of 19%. Giant Gall Bladder (GGB) is an uncommon condition that can result from cholelithiasis or chronic cholecystitis and rarely with malignancy.

A 65 year old lady presented with vague abdominal pain for 12 years and right abdominal lump of size 20 × 8 cms was found on examination. CT scan showed a circumferentially irregularly thickened wall (2.5 cm) of gall bladder indicative of malignancy. Per-operatively a GB of size 24 × 9 cm was noted and patient underwent radical cholecystectomy. It was surprise to find such a giant malignant GB with preserved planes. Histopathology, it was well differentiated adenocarcinoma of gall bladder of Stage II (T2a N0 M0).

It is known that mucocoele of GB can attain large size, however chronic cholecystitis will lead to a shrunken gall bladder rather than an enlarged one. A malignant GB of such size and resectable is rare without any lymph node involvement or liver infiltration. Few cases of giant benign gall bladder have been reported in literature, however this appears to be the largest resectable gall bladder carcinoma reported till date as per indexed literature.

Giant GB is an uncommon finding. They are mostly benign, however malignant cases can occur. Radiological findings may suggest features of malignancy and define extent of disease. Prognosis depends on stage of disease and resectability, irrespective of size.