Clinicopathological Significance for Polypoid Lesions of the Gallbladder: The Adenoma-carcinoma sequence

ABSTRACT

Twenty cases of polypoid lesions of the gallbladder were reviewed. Seven were benign lesions. Among them, there were 4 (20%) adenomas and 3 (15%) adenomatous hyperplasias. All of the benign lesions were less than 1 cm in diameter. Thirteen cases involved a carcinoma of the gallbladder, of which 92% were more than 1 cm in diameter, 76.9% were over 60 years of age, and 38.5% were associated with gallstones. The accuracy of the preoperative ultrasonographic diagnosis of the polypoid lesions of the gallbladder was 80%. The spread and the size of the tumor showed a close correlation. Therefore, the size of the tumor is a vital indicator for the treatment of polypoid lesions of the gallbladder; lesions between 0.6~1 cm in diameter should be followed up by ultrasonography. An operation may be considered if stones are present. Lesions bigger than 1 cm should be resected since malignancy can not be excluded.