Demographic, Clinical, Radiological, and Cytopathological Profiles of Patients With Gallbladder Carcinoma in Tripura:...

Background Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is an aggressive malignancy characterized by rapid local invasion, delayed clinical presentation, and poor survival outcomes. Despite the high disease burden in North-East India, region-specific data on the demographic and diagnostic characteristics of GBC remain limited. Aim This study aims to describe the demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, laboratory abnormalities, radiological findings, cytopathological features, and diagnostic stages among patients with GBC in Tripura. Materials and methods This hospital-based cross-sectional study included 192 consecutive patients with cytologically confirmed GBC who were managed at a tertiary-care center in Tripura between October 2024 and September 2025. Demographic characteristics, clinical features, laboratory parameters, imaging findings, cytopathological diagnoses, and clinical stage at presentation were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results A total of 192 patients were included, with a mean age of 61.3 ± 6.1 years. Females constituted 93.8% of the study population, and 56.3% of patients were older than 60 years. Three-fourths of patients belonged to lower-middle, upper-lower, or lower socioeconomic classes and resided in rural areas (75.0%). A non-vegetarian diet was reported by 81.3% of patients, and betel-nut chewing by 71.9%. Abdominal pain and loss of appetite were present in all patients, and significant weight loss was observed in 90.6% of patients. Jaundice and palpable gallbladder were noted in 62.5% and 81.3% of patients, respectively. Anemia was present in 96.9% of patients, and hyperbilirubinemia in 59.4%. Ultrasonography identified a gallbladder mass in 56.3% of patients, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography frequently demonstrated locally advanced disease. Cytopathological evaluation revealed adenocarcinoma in 168 (87.5%) patients. Cytopathological evaluation revealed adenocarcinoma in 168 (87.5%) patients. Clinical staging demonstrated that 75.0% of patients presented with stage III-IV disease, indicating substantial diagnostic delay. Conclusions GBC in Tripura predominantly affects elderly women and is commonly diagnosed at an advanced stage. Most patients in this cohort originated from rural and lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The high proportion of advanced-stage disease at presentation highlights the need for improved awareness, earlier diagnostic evaluation of symptomatic patients, and strengthened referral pathways in high-burden regions of North-East India.