Cáncer de la vesícula biliar: estudios necesarios para el diseño de estrategias de prevención y diagnóstico precoz / Gallbladder cancer: necessary studies to design strategies for prevention and early diagnosis
Chile has the highest gallbladder cancer (GBC) incidence rate in the world (>30 per 100,000 person-years) and is the leading cause of cancer deaths among Chilean women. To design strategies of prevention and early diagnosis of GBC we must understand the etiological factors of the gallbladder carcinogenic process; There is consensus that in the development of this cancer concurs genetic and hormonal factors, infection, and chronic inflammation associated with lithiasis; and that is strongly associated with poverty conditions; But unfortunately there is not enough information about this process or how the classic risk factors associated play a role in its development. There is also no information on which are important in the initiation and promotion of GBC. In this article we focus the discussion in gallstones, considered the main risk factor for GBC. We analize some strategies of prevention and control and discuss some aspects of the current program. Finally we will point out two studies on risk factors and genetic susceptibility to GBC that are being implemented in Chile.