The Effect of Previous Cholecystectomy on Stage of Pancreatic Head Adenocarcinoma

Aim: A relationship between the history of cholecystectomy and risk of pancreas cancer has been previously shown. However, the effect of cholecystectomy on pathological features of pancreatic cancer has not been investigated yet. The aim of the study is to investigate the possible effect of cholecystectomy on tumor stage in patients who underwent Whipple procedure for pancreatic head adenocarcinoma.

Study Design: This is a retrospective clinical study.

Methodology: A total of 116 patients were included in the study. All patients were classified as patients who had a history of cholecystectomy (Group 1) and those without a history of cholecystectomy (Group 2). The two groups were compared with each other in terms of clinical and pathological characteristics.

Results: There were 48 (41.4%) females and 68 (58.6%) males, with an overall mean age of 60.7 years. Twenty-two (19%) patients had a history of cholecystectomy. The patients in Group 1 had a higher T-stage than patients in Group 2 (p<0.001). The stage of tumor was also significantly different between the groups (p<0.001).

Conclusion: This is the first study indicating the possible effect of previous cholecystectomy on tumor stage in pancreatic head cancer. Clinicians should be more careful in the evaluation of such patients to avoid a delay in the diagnosis.