GALLBLADDER CANCER - A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Gallbladder cancer is the principal oncological cause of death in chil ean women and cholelithiasis is a well recognized risk factor. Aiming to unravel other risk factors for gallbladder cancer, we compared 50 p atients subjected to cholecystectomy in whom a gallbladder cancer was found with 50 age and sex matched operated controls without cancer. Su bjects were clinically assessed and interrogated about demographic, ob stetrical features and feeding features. Multiples and early pregnanci es were factors significantly associated to the development of gallbla dder cancer. Twenty subjects (44%) with cancer knew that they had chol elithiasis and 41 patients in each group were symptomatic. It is concl uded that pregnancy may be a risk factor for gallbladder cancer probab ly due to the lithogenic effect of its hormonal changes. Also, early c holecystectomy in symptomatic individuals may be an effective preventi ve measure.