Major Research Findings

Gallbladder cancer is a relatively rare disease and is traditionally considered to have a poor prognosis. 17 There is controversy regarding the effects of clinicopathological features and different surgical techniques on prognosis. 17 Surgical resection is the only curative treatment for early-stage gallbladder cancer, and some intermediate or advanced gallbladder cancers can be radically cured by extended resection. 13 However, most patients are already at the locally advanced stage or the tumor has metastasized at the initial diagnosis. 15 The postoperative recurrence rate and 5-year survival rate remain unsatisfactory even after radical resection for gallbladder cancer. 15 Therefore, there is an urgent need for more treatment options, such as neoadjuvant therapy, postoperative adjuvant therapy, and first-line and second-line treatments for local progression and metastasis, in the whole-course treatment management of gallbladder cancer patients. 15 In recent years, the application of molecular targeted drugs and immunotherapy has brought greater hope and broader prospects for the treatment of gallbladder cancer, but their effects in improving the prognosis of patients still lack sufficient evidence-based medicine evidence, so many problems should be addressed by further research. 15

Treatment Summary

Treatment options for gallbladder cancer include surgery, neoadjuvant therapy, postoperative adjuvant therapy, molecular targeted drugs, and immunotherapy. 15 In early-stage gallbladder cancer, surgical resection is the only curative treatment, and by selecting appropriate surgical strategies based on the anatomical position of the primary tumor, accurate preoperative stage, and strict control of surgical indications, optimal surgical effects can be achieved. 15 In advanced stages or metastatic stages of gallbladder cancer, combination therapies such as neoadjuvant therapy, postoperative adjuvant therapy, molecular targeted drugs, and immunotherapy are considered. 15 However, the effectiveness of these treatments requires further research. 15

Benefits and Risks

Benefits Summary

Treatment for gallbladder cancer has advanced, and there are multiple treatment options, including surgery, neoadjuvant therapy, postoperative adjuvant therapy, molecular targeted drugs, and immunotherapy. 15 These treatments can be effective in treating early-stage gallbladder cancer and may extend the patient's survival time. 15

Risks Summary

Treatment for gallbladder cancer comes with various options, including surgery, neoadjuvant therapy, postoperative adjuvant therapy, molecular targeted drugs, and immunotherapy. 15 These treatments carry the risk of side effects and complications. 15 Surgery has risks such as bleeding, infection, and bile duct injury. 15 Neoadjuvant therapy and postoperative adjuvant therapy can have side effects such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and immunosuppression. 15 Molecular targeted drugs and immunotherapy also pose risks of side effects and complications. 15

Comparison Between Studies

Commonalities of Studies

Gallbladder cancer is a relatively rare disease and is traditionally considered to have a poor prognosis. 17 There is controversy regarding the effects of clinicopathological features and different surgical techniques on prognosis. 17 Most studies agree that surgical resection is the only curative treatment for early-stage gallbladder cancer. 13 , 15

Differences in Studies

Studies on the treatment of gallbladder cancer present varying perspectives on treatment options, including surgical techniques, neoadjuvant therapy, postoperative adjuvant therapy, molecular targeted drugs, and immunotherapy. 15 Specifically, the effectiveness of neoadjuvant therapy and postoperative adjuvant therapy still lacks sufficient evidence-based medical justification. 15

Consistency and Contradictions of Results

Research on the treatment of gallbladder cancer exhibits inconsistencies and contradictions in the results. 15 Particularly, the effectiveness of neoadjuvant therapy and postoperative adjuvant therapy still lacks sufficient evidence-based medical justification. 15 Therefore, further research is needed to determine if these treatments improve patient prognosis. 15

Cautions for Real-Life Application

When applying the research findings on gallbladder cancer treatment to real-life situations, the following points need to be considered. 15 Gallbladder cancer is relatively rare, and research on treatment is limited. 17 Therefore, the optimal treatment for each patient should be determined in consultation with a doctor, taking into account factors such as the patient's condition, age, health status, and lifestyle. 15

Limitations of Current Research

There are several limitations to research on the treatment of gallbladder cancer. 15 Gallbladder cancer is relatively rare, and research on treatment is limited. 17 Generalizing these research findings can be challenging. 15 Additionally, many of these studies are relatively small in scale, and caution is necessary when generalizing their results. 15

Future Research Directions

Research on the treatment of gallbladder cancer requires further investigation. 15 It is crucial to conduct large-scale clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of neoadjuvant therapy and postoperative adjuvant therapy, as well as the safety and effectiveness of molecular targeted drugs and immunotherapy. 15

Conclusion

While progress has been made in the treatment of gallbladder cancer, many challenges remain. 15 Research on gallbladder cancer treatment needs to continue to gain more information and understanding. 15 Treatment for gallbladder cancer varies from patient to patient. 15 If diagnosed with gallbladder cancer, it is important to consult with your doctor to select the optimal treatment. 15

List of Treatments

Surgery, Neoadjuvant Therapy, Postoperative Adjuvant Therapy, Molecular Targeted Drugs, Immunotherapy