The Relationship between Helicobacter Pylori and Gallbladder Pathologies, Dysplasia and Gallbladder Cancer

Sirin Kucuk¹, Izzet Goker Kucuk²

¹Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Usak University, Usak, Turkey - ²Spec. Dr., Kemalöz Family Health Center, Uşak, Turkey

Objective: By examining the presence of H. pylori in the mucosa of cholecystectomy materials, the present study aimed to reveal the relationship between H. pylori and gallbladder pathologies.

Methods: Slides of 213 cholecystectomy specimens were re-examined retrospectively. Prognostic factors such as the histologic grade and pathologic state of adenocarcinoma cases were recorded. Re-examining the dysplasia, metaplasia, cholelithiasis, and other lesions using an Olympus CX41 light microscope. Pathologic grading of tumors was performed according to the criteria specified by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). The paraffin-embedded tissues of 213 cases were analyzed for the presence of H. pylori using Giemsa staining. 

Results: H. pylori infection was found to have a statistically significant relationship with dysplasia, grade, macroscopic growth, and lymphovascular invasion (p<0.05). The mean age of the adenocarcinoma group was statistically significantly higher than the other groups (p<0.01). The mean age of the no-dysplasia group was statistically significantly lower when compared with the group with high-grade dysplasia (p<0.01).

Conclusion: According to the present study, especially in older female patients, the presence of H. pylori infection affects dysplasia, nuclear grade, macroscopic growth pattern, and lymphovascular invasion in gallbladder cancer. For this reason, the authors believe that close follow-up for older female patients, who are positive for H. pylori infection, in terms of high-grade dysplasia and gallbladder adenocarcinoma would contribute to the survival of this patient group.