Altering Trends in Pathological Spectrum of Cholecystectomy Specimen: Time to be More Vigilant

Abstract Background: Gall bladder cancer is a rare, most common and aggressive malignancy of the biliary tree, accounting for 80%–90% of biliary tract cancers. Gallstones are one of the major causes of the development of cholecystitis and long-term malignancy in developing countries. Cholecystectomy specimens have a great value in documenting various entities with clinical significance. Early detection is the most important step in improving the prognosis of gall bladder carcinoma (GBC) screening. Aim: Clinico- pathological spectrum of cholecystectomy specimen and Incidence of malignancy and its precursor lesion with gallstones. Patient and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all gall bladder specimens (cholecystectomy, laparoscopic, open or radical) from the period of January 2019–January 2022, including demographic data of the patients such as age and sex. Additional findings, such as the presence of gallstones, cholesterolosis, gastric or intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia and histopathological type of GBC, were documented. Results: A total of 1221 gall bladder specimens were received, with a higher female preponderance and a female-to-male ratio of 2.6:1. The mean age of presentation was 45 years. The most common histopathological diagnosis made was chronic cholecystitis (97%), and malignant cases accounted for 3% of the total cases. Conclusions: The high propensity of GBC with non-cholelithiasis cases, more than half of cases with metaplasia and increased incidence of adenosquamous carcinoma indicate a high burden of tumours, alerting the clinician as well as the pathologist.