Gallbladder Carcinoma Unassociated With Cholelithiasis:

Carcinoma of the gallbladder is a rare and often over looked cause of right upper abdominal quadrant pain. Diagnostic delay is common as the clinical features are confused with those of chronic cholecystitis. We report two cases of gallbladder carcinoma not associated with gallstones occurring in two middle-aged women. To our knowledge this is the first report in Nigeria of gallbladder carcinoma unassociated with cholelithiasis. We conclude that there should be a high index of suspicion in patients presenting with weight loss and chronic cholecystitis syndrome. Keywords: Gallbladder Carcinoma, Cholecystitis, Radical Cholecystectomy.Nigerian Journal of Surgical Sciences Vol. 17 (2) 2007: pp. 113-11