[Characteristics of early carcinoma of the gallbladder--clinico-pathological study]

53 early carcinomas of the gallbladder in 46 cases were studied. They were surgically resected and limited to the proper muscle layer and/or Rokitansky-Aschoff sinus. 19 percent of them were pointed out by preoperative examination, and 34 percent during the operation. Finally, 85 percent of them were macroscopically with formalin-fixed materials. 53 carcinomas were composed of 14 protruded type carcinomas (26%) and 39 superficial type ones (74%). 21 tumors (40%) were pure flat (II b) type carcinomas and 17 (32%) were tumors having flat (II b) area. In the latter, flat (II b) area spread widely in the carcinoma lesion. The early carcinomas had areas of 0.01 to 80 cm2 (average 16.1 cm2). 29 percent of them occupied wider area than the half of the resected gallbladder.