Postsurgical radiotherapy in stage IIIB gallbladder cancer patients with one to three lymph nodes metastases: A propensity score matching analysis

Am J Surg. 2021 Mar;221(3):642-648. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.08.007. Epub 2020 Aug 15.

Abstract

Background: The effect of postsurgical radiotherapy (PSRT) among T1-3 gallbladder cancer (GBC) patients with one to three lymph node metastases remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of PSRT on gallbladder cancer-specific survival (GBCSS) in patients with stage IIIB.

Methods: The data of GBC patients were obtained from the American Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Data resources between 2004 and 2015. Then, a 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) method was performed. GBCSS was compared among all patients. Subgroup analysis was conducted to identify patients who would benefit from PSRT.

Results: 726 AJCC (8th edition) stage IIIB GBC patients were included. PSRT failed to improve GBCSS (p = 0.168). Male sex, tumor size ≥ 4 cm and absence of chemotherapy were independent negative prognostic factors. No significant survival benefit from PSRT was found in any subgroup.

Conclusions: PSRT provides no survival benefit for IIIB GBC.

Keywords: AJCC; Gallbladder cancer; Radiotherapy; SEER.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / radiotherapy*
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cholecystectomy*
  • Female
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / pathology
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Propensity Score
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • SEER Program
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States