Facing the challenge of treating gallbladder carcinoma. Review of the literature.

Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) remains the most common biliary tract malignancy and is characterized as an aggressive and highly lethal disease. There is also a wide discrepancy among sources regarding the epidemiology of the tumor. Despite recent research on the therapeutic strategies against gallbladder neoplastic disorders, surgical resection appears the only potentially curative approach. Unfortunately, a mere minority of patients is eligible to undergo surgical intervention. In addition, surgical removal of gallbladder tumor does not necessarily guarantee patient's long-term recovery. Alternative therapies, such as radio and chemotherapy proved insufficient. The aim of this review was to evaluate the results of surgical treatment for GBC with special reference to the extent of its histological spread and to present the recent literature in order to provide an update on the current concepts of surgical management of the disease.