What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to detail the clinicopathological and radiological characteristics of gallbladder carcinoma patients in Tripura.

March 7, 2026Open Access

Clinicopathological and Radiological Profile of Gallbladder Carcinoma: A Cross-Sectional Study From a Tertiary Care Center in Tripura, India

Key Points

This study aims to detail the clinicopathological and radiological characteristics of gallbladder carcinoma patients in Tripura.
Conducted a cross-sectional study at a tertiary care center from May 2024 to November 2025.
Included 104 patients diagnosed with gallbladder carcinoma after exclusion criteria.
Data collected on demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory parameters, imaging, and histopathology.
Staging was done according to AJCC 8th edition classification.
Statistical analysis performed using IBM SPSS Statistics.
Mean age of participants was 61.4 years, with 88.5% being female.
66.3% of patients had elevated CA 19-9 levels; 74% had elevated CEA levels.
USG identified gallbladder masses in 78.8% of cases; CECT confirmed mass lesions in 90.4%.
Adenocarcinoma was the most common subtype, primarily well-differentiated tumors.
Advanced staging was common with 69.2% presenting with T3-T4 tumors.

Abstract

Background Gallbladder carcinoma is an aggressive malignancy with marked geographic variation in incidence within India, particularly affecting the northern and northeastern regions. Given the limited evidence from Tripura, this study aimed to describe the clinicopathological and radiological profile of gallbladder carcinoma patients presenting to a tertiary care center in Tripura, India. Methods A prospective, hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Agartala Government Medical College and Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital (AGMC IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results The mean age of participants was 61.4 ± 8.8 years, with more than half of the participants (n = 59, 56.7%) aged over 60 years. A marked female predominance was observed (n = 92, 88.5%). Most patients belonged to lower socioeconomic strata (n = 52, 50.0%) and resided in rural areas (n = 78, 75%). Abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom, while icterus was the most frequent clinical sign. Elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) was observed among 69 (66.3%) patients, and elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were observed in 77 (74%) patients. On ultrasonography (USG), a gallbladder mass was detected in 82 (78.8%) cases, while contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) identified mass lesions in 94 (90.4%) cases. Histopathologically, adenocarcinoma was the predominant subtype, with well-differentiated tumors accounting for 41 (39.4%) cases. Advanced disease at presentation was frequent, with T3-T4 tumors in 72 (69.2%) patients, nodal involvement in 67 (64.4%), and distant metastasis in 28 (26.9%) patients. Stage IVB was the most common AJCC stage (n = 42, 40.4%). Conclusion Gallbladder carcinoma patients in Tripura predominantly present with advanced-stage disease and exhibit a strong female preponderance. The high burden of locoregional and metastatic spread underscores the need for region-specific awareness, earlier diagnostic strategies, and strengthened referral pathways to improve outcomes in this high-risk population.

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