Gallstones Size, Number, and Biochemical Analysis – An Association with Gallbladder Cancer: A Study of 800 Cases

Abstract Purpose: The objective of the study was to find out if there is any relation of number, size, and type of gallstones with the occurrence of gallbladder carcinoma (GBC), as the presence of gallstones is considered to be the most important risk factor for gallbladder cancer. Materials and Methods: Eight hundred specimens of postcholecystectomy gallbladders were studied. The number, size, and type of stones were compared in all these cases. Gross as well as histopathological examination of gallbladder specimens was done. Results: 740 (92.5%) gallbladders were associated with gallstones. On histopathological examination, malignancy was found in 24 cases (3%) only, and rest 716 cases (97%) revealed inflammatory/nonneoplastic pathology. A statistically significant difference was observed in the number of stones in gallbladders with malignancy than those with benign lesions ( P < 0.001). Similarly, a statistically significant difference was seen in terms of stone size between gallbladder cancer (GBC) cases and those with benign pathology ( P < 0.005). Benign lesions of the gallbladders were mostly associated with mixed types of stones, whereas malignant cases were associated with pure cholesterol-type stones. Conclusion: Thus, we concluded that as the number, size, and cholesterol gallstone increase, the risk of gallbladder cancer also increases.