Efficacy of the Gallbladder Cancer Predictive Risk Score Based on Pathological Findings: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

Abstract

Background: The optimal prognostic predictive system for gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) has not been established. The gallbladder cancer predictive risk score (GBRS) based on pathological findings identifies incidental GBC patients at risk of recurrence.

Objective: We aimed to validate the prognostic ability of the GBRS in all GBC patients following curative surgery.

Methods: Fifty-six patients with GBC who underwent curative surgery between 1996 and 2016 were included in this study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine prognostic factors associated with overall and recurrence-free survival, and propensity score-matched analysis was performed.

Results: The median patient age was 71.9 years, and 39.3% of patients were males. All patients underwent curative surgery (33.9%, simple cholecystectomy; 66.1%, more advanced procedures, such as hepatectomy; and 32.1%, bile duct reconstruction). On univariate analysis, preoperative carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) ≥ 37 U/mL (p = 0.042), postoperative complications (p = 0.043), and a high GBRS (p < 0.001) were prognostic factors for worse overall survival. On multivariate analysis, CA19-9 ≥ 37 U/mL (p = 0.039 and p = 0.043, respectively) and a high GBRS (p = 0.001 and p = 0.010, respectively) were independent risk factors for poor overall and recurrence-free survival. After propensity score-matched analysis, the GBRS precisely predicted prognosis of patients with GBC.

Conclusions: The GBRS is an easy and novel prognostic predicting score. Our validation revealed good discrimination, suggesting its clinical utility to improve individualized prediction of survival for patients undergoing resection of GBC.