Characteristics of Adenocarcinoma of the Gallbladder Following Cholecystectomies in the Hispanic Population

Introduction Gallbladder adenocarcinoma (GBC) is a rare malignancy. Frequency of incidental adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder in the literature is approximately 0.2% to 3%. Typically, GBC is the most common type and is discovered late, not until significant symptoms develop. Common symptoms include right upper quadrant pain, nausea, anorexia, and jaundice. A number of risk factors in the literature are noted for GBC. These risk factors are also more prevalent in Hispanic populations. This study sought to compare patients with incidental gallbladder adenocarcinomas (IGBC) to those with high preoperative suspicion for GBC. Predictor variables included age, sex, ethnicity, radiologic wall thickening, gross pathology characteristics (wall thickness, stone size, stone number, and tumor size), histologic grade, and staging. Methods Cases of GBC were retrospectively analyzed from 2009 through 2017, yielding 21 cases. Data were collected via Cerner EMR of predictor variables noted above. Statistical analysis utilized conditional logistic regression analysis. Results The majority of patients were female (n = 20) and Hispanic (n = 19). There were 14 IGBCs and 7 nonincidental GBCs. In contrast with previous research, exact conditional logistic regression analysis revealed no statistically significant findings. For every one-unit increase in AJCC TNM staging, there was a nonsignificant 73% reduction in odds (OR = 0.27) of an incidental finding of gallbladder carcinoma. Conclusion This study is important in that it attempts to expand existing literature regarding a rare type of cancer in a unique population, one particularly affected by gallbladder disease. Further studies are needed to increase predictive knowledge of this cancer. Longer studies are needed to examine how predictive power affects patient outcomes. This study reinforces the need for routine pathologic examination of cholecystectomy specimens for cholelithiasis.