Radiotherapy of carcinoma of the gallbladder

Thirteen patients with carcinoma of the gallbladder were treated with radiation therapy using Cobalt-60 or 10 MV X-ray. The total dosage ranged from 16 Gy to 54 Gy. Eight patients were treated for palliation, three patients had post-operative irradiation and two patients were treated for recurrence after surgery. Palliation was achieved in six of the eight patients (75%). The results of our series of tests together with other reports suggest radiotherapy can contribute to palliation and post-operative irradiation as an adjunctive treatment.