Objective:

The aim of this study is to determine risk factors for malignancy in gallbladder polyps.

Method:

92 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy due to gallbladder polyp were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data of the patients, size and number of polyp, the presence of gallstones and histopathological features of the polyps were recorded.

Results:

92 patients were included. Mean age was 45.78±11.21 years (21-72). 59 of the patients (64.1%) were female and 33 (35.9%) were male. Mean polyp size was 8.17±2.19 mm and 35 patients (38.0%) had a single polyp, while 57 (62.0%) had multiple polyps (≥2). 47 of the patients (51.1%) had gallstone disease, while 45 (48.9%) had no stone disease. Benign polyps (Group 1) were found in 79 patients (85.9%) and adenocarcinomas (Group 2) were found in 13 (14.1%). Of the benign polyps, 71 (77.1%) were non-neoplastic polyps and 8 (8.8%) were neoplastic polyps (adenomas). Of the 13 patients with adenocarcinomas, 11 (11.9%) were T1a and 2 (2.2%) were T1b. Mean age was 44.32±11.03 years in Group 1 and 54.61±8.07 years in Group 2, the latter being significantly older (p=0.002). Mean polyp size was 7.47±5.51 mm in Group 1 and 12.46±1.89 mm in Group 2, with a significant difference (p<0.001). The cut-off value to detect malignant polyps was a polyp size of 10.5 mm with 92.3% sensitivity, 84.8% specificity, and 0.934 accuracy (p< 0.001). The cut-off value to detect malignant polyps was an age of 50.5 years with 76.9% sensitivity, 67.1% specificity, and 0.767 accuracy (p=0.002). Polyp size and age were important risk factors for malignant gallbladder polyps (p<0.001, OR=2.313; 95% CI: 1.502–3.561), (p=0.004, OR=1.100, 95% CI: 1.030–1.175).

Conclusion:

We recommend cholecystectomy for asymptomatic patients aged above 50.5 years with gallbladder polyps larger than 10.5 mm due to the increased risk of malignancy.

Keywords: gallbladder adenocarcinoma, gallbladder polyp, surgical treatment