LAUSR

Abstract Background Metastatic carcinoma of Gallbladder is a notoriously lethal malignancy and its treatment remains an enigma for the patient as well as for the treating oncologist. In India, it is most prevalent in the northern and north eastern states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal and Assam. We have reported here clinicoepidemiological profile of 142 patients having metastatic carcinoma of gall bladder. Methods The study comprised 142 GBC cases referred to the tertiary care centre in Kolkata, India during 2017-19. Detailed history and clinical examination followed by requisite investigations were done for the patients and were treated as per the existent guidelines. Results Out of 142 patients 116 (81.6%) were females while 26 (18.4%) were males. The mean age for females was 58 while for male 46 years. Total 18 (12.6%) patients had presented in poor general condition and were managed with best supportive care. The commonest presentations were abdominal pain (81%), weight loss (72%), obstructive jaundice (30%), ascites (27%) and anorexia (21%). The commonest site of metastasis were liver (87%), Ascites (30%), retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy (28%) and left supraclavicular lymphadenopathy (17%). Rare sites of metastasis were lung, brain and skeletal deposits. Conclusions Our study provided a clinicoepidemiological profile of patients having metastatic carcinoma gall bladder in North east India for the first time. Most of our patients presented or had history of gall bladder stone. We have tried to study various risk factors associated with the disease. Unfortunately a significant number of patients presents very late in our setting and due to non availability of effective chemotherapy or targeted therapy mortality remains very high. As the incidence of this malignancy is increasing it is the need of the hour to study various therapies for effective management of this malignancy. Legal entity responsible for the study The author. Funding Has not received any funding. Disclosure The author has declared no conflicts of interest.