Pathogenesis of gallbladder adenomyomatosis and its relationship with early-stage gallbladder carcinoma: an overview

Braz J Med Biol Res. 2018;51(6):e7411. doi: 10.1590/1414-431x20187411. Epub 2018 May 21.

Abstract

The exact pathogenesis of gallbladder adenomyomatosis is still lacking and some controversies over its diagnosis and treatment exist. Originally recognized as a precancerous lesion, adenomyomatosis is currently recognized by recent studies as a benign alteration of the gallbladder that is often associated with cholecystitis and cholecystolithiasis. Gallbladder carcinoma is an extremely malignant disease with a 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. Therefore, it is important to diagnose, differentiate, and confirm the relationship between adenomyomatosis and early-stage gallbladder carcinoma. However, the early clinical symptoms of adenomyomatosis are extremely similar to those of gallbladder stones and cholecystitis, increasing the difficulty to identify and treat this disease. This article summarizes the research progress on gallbladder adenomyomatosis, aiming to improve the understanding of the pathogenesis of adenomyomatosis and further provide insight for its clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenomyoma / diagnosis*
  • Adenomyoma / etiology*
  • Adenomyoma / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / pathology
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Staging