[Carcinoma in situ of the gallbladder. The prognostic and therapeutic implications]

We have studied samples from gallbladders of five patients with carcinoma in situ over a 6-year period. Two were men and three women with du age ranging between 38 and 68 years (mean age 56). The microscopic criteria employed for the diagnosis of carcinoma in situ were pseudostratification of the epithelium, nuclear crowding, loss of cell polarity, atypical mitotic divisions and absence of stromal invasion. Cholecystectomy was carried in all patients due to cholelithiasis. Signs and symptoms were those related to the presence of stones and none of the patients was the presence of carcinoma suspected clinically. All patients are alive and symptom-free 14-84 months after surgery. Authors concluded that patients with carcinoma in situ of the gallbladder usually follows a good course after cholecystectomy.