Incidental gallbladder carcinoma and cholesterolosis in anatomopathological results

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to identify the histopathological diagnoses of gallbladder cancer and cholesterolosis in surgical specimens of elective cholecystectomy performed at an university hospital between January 2012 and December 2017. Methods: This is a retrospective study of histopathological data analysis of elective cholecystectomy specimens for clinical diagnosis of cholelithiasis. The data were evaluated using the Epi-info software. Results: Analysis of 1776 medical reports showed seven cases of incidental GBC, where all patients were female aged ≥35 years. In addition, 322 cases of cholesterolosis were identified, mostly associated with cholecystitis and also more frequently observed in females. Conclusion: GBC is difficult to diagnose at early stages due to nonspecific clinical signs similar to those of cholecystitis. Incidental diagnoses of GBC often occur upon histopathological analysis of elective cholecystectomy specimens. Due to the aggressiveness of GBC, there is need for careful evaluation after histopathological analysis of surgical specimens of elective cholecystectomy.