Efficacy of gemcitabine in the treatment of patients with gallbladder carcinoma - A case report

BACKGROUND. Advanced carcinoma of the gallbladder typically is unresponsive to chemotherapy, and patients with progressive metastatic disease have a short survival. METHODS. A patient with advanced metastatic carcinoma of the gallbladder causing peritoneal carcinomatosis and hepatic metastases is reported. This patient achieved a dramatic remission with gemcitabine after failing two other chemotherapeutic regimens. RESULTS. Response included reversal of complete small bowel obstruction with resumption of the ability to eat and the disappearance of liver metastases. CONCLUSIONS. Gemcitabine appears to be worthy of organized clinical trials in patients with this notoriously chemotherapy-resistant malignancy. (C) 1998 American Cancer Society.