Primary carcinoma of gallbladder in Tanzania. A twenty-year review.

This study comprises a review of all patients of primary carcinoma of gallbladder based on biopsy material received from 1969-1988 at the Cancer Registry of the Central Pathology Laboratory, Muhimbili Medical Centre, Dar es Salaam. This study is the first of its kind involving primary carcinoma of gallbladder in Tanzania. The clinical and pathological features of ten patients of primary carcinoma of gallbladder treated at Muhimbili Medical Centre are described. Males outnumbered females. The maximum incidence was seen in the 6th decade. Pain and the presence of a mass were two most common clinical features. Gallstones coexisted in 40 percent of patients. Ancillary investigations were of little value in preoperative diagnosis. At laparotomy cholecystectomy was possible in all the cases owing to inapparent carcinoma of gallbladder. One patient is alive 6 months after surgery.