CANCER OF THE GALLBLADDER ASSOCIATED WITH ANOMALOUS JUNCTION OF THE PANCREATICOBILIARY DUCT SYSTEM WITHOUT BILE-DUCT DILATATION

The aim of this study was to delineate clinical features and prognosis of cancer of the gallbladder associated with anomalous junction of th e pancreatobiliary duct system without bile duct dilatation, and to de termine methods for managing the disease. A retrospective study of sev en patients is presented. A further 27 cases from the Japanese literat ure were reviewed retrospectively with regard to method of treatment a nd prognosis. In 11 of 18 patients in whom staging was known the tumou r was stage V, representing advanced disease. In seven of 34 cases cur ative operation was performed; only two patients survived for > 3 year s. This poor outcome was due largely to delayed diagnosis of cancer of the gallbladder. Prophylactic cholecystectomy is recommended in patie nts with this anomalous junction without bile duct dilatation or a mal ignant lesion in the gallbladder, because of the high incidence of can cer of the biliary tract.