Could Microplastics Be the Reason for the High Gallbladder Cancer Incidence in Northern India?

Abstract India accounts for more than 15% of all gallbladder cancer (GBC) diagnosed worldwide, with around 21,000 new cases diagnosed in 2022. However, a large proportion of these cases are concentrated along the banks of river Ganges flowing through northern and northeastern parts of India. GBC incidence in the Gangetic belt is around 10 times more than the rates reported from the rest of the country. In our article, we evaluated the various factors responsible for this geographic disparity and propose microplastic contamination of the river Ganges as the possible etiology for increased GBC prevalence along the Gangetic belt. Here, we attempted to describe existing literature on the harmful effects of microplastics particularly focusing on its carcinogenic potential. Although no proven association exists between GBC and microplastics, we believe there is strong circumstantial evidence to support this claim. However. extensive studies on the role of microplastics in GBC pathophysiology should be performed before any conclusion can be made on its carcinogenic potential.