[Clinical aspects and diagnosis of gallbladder cancer]

17 patients with primary carcinoma of the gallbladder were studied. In 7 cases a palliative operation for biliary or gastrointestinal obstruction was performed, in 6 patients a biopsy only. None of the 4 patients undergoing a more "radical" procedure survived 2 years. The main symptoms were pain, jaundice and weight loss. Other manifestations were acute cholecystitis and pyloric obstruction. A correct preoperative diagnosis was established only in 3 cases. Most of the small tumors are discovered by the surgeon who performs a cholecystectomy for stones. Simple cholecystectomy, however, is a palliative procedure in most cases with carcinoma involving all layers of the wall.