Prognostic analysis of lymph node resection and liver resection for T1b and T2 gallbladder cancer: a multi-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND

Survival benefit of extended cholecystectomy including lymph node resection (LNR) and liver resection (LR) is still debating.

METHODS

Patients pathologically diagnosed with T1b and T2 stage GBC in 6 medical centers from 2012 to 2022 were included and retrospectively analyzed. Clinical variables, including patient characteristics, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), surgical approaches, and adjuvant treatments were collected. Propensity score-matching was performed to compare the survival outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 160 T1b/T2 GBC patients were included. 52 patients undergoing LNR were matched to 54 patients without LNR. After matching, LNR demonstrated significant survival benefit in OS (mOS 48.8 months vs not reached; p = 0.020) and DFS (mDFS 47.9 months vs 70.2 months; p = 0.038). Meanwhile, 61 patients undergoing LR were matched to 54 patients without LR. After matching, LR demonstrated no statistical difference in overall survival (mOS 68.2 months vs 78.5 months; p = 0.72) and disease-free survival (mDFS 67.1 months vs 42.6 months; p = 0.30).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results revealed that pathological T1b and T2 GBC patients benefit from radical cholecystectomy including lymph node resection and may not benefit from liver resection.