Clinicopathological Patterns and Treatment Outcomes in Gallbladder Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Study

Abstract AIM: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is an aggressive malignancy with a high prevalence in northern and eastern India. Despite advancements in imaging and therapy, survival rates remain poor due to late presentation. This study aims to analyze the clinical profiles, stage-wise distribution, treatment patterns, and short-term outcomes of GBC patients treated in tertiary hospitals in India from 2020 to 2024. Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients diagnosed with histologically confirmed GBC between January 2020 and December 2024 at three Indian tertiary care centers. Clinical records were reviewed for demographics, stage at diagnosis, treatment modality, treatment duration, and short-term outcomes. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze trends. Results: A total of 152 patients were included. The female-to-male ratio was 3:1, with a mean age of 57.8 years. Stage distribution was as follows: Stage I (6.5%), Stage II (17.1%), Stage III (39.5%), Stage IV (36.8%). Surgery was performed in 41.4% of patients, chemotherapy in 65.8%, and HER2-targeted therapy in 7.2%. The median treatment duration for chemotherapy was 4.5 months. Selected case snapshots demonstrate varied survival based on stage and molecular profile. Conclusion: Most patients presented in advanced stages. Surgery offered the best survival outcomes in early-stage disease. Chemotherapy provided modest benefit in advanced stages. HER2-targeted therapy showed promise in select patients. Earlier diagnosis and targeted treatment pathways are necessary to improve outcomes.