A 50-year-old woman has incidentally found a 4 cm gallbladder mass on ultrasound. CT shows extension into the liver parenchyma for 2 cm but no involvement of major hepatic vessels or bile ducts. According to AJCC 8th edition T-staging of gallbladder carcinoma, what T stage is this?
- A T2b
- B T4
- C T3 ✓
- D T2a
Correct answer: C. T3
Explanation
AJCC 8th edition T-staging for gallbladder carcinoma: T1 confined to mucosa/muscularis; T2a invades perimuscular connective tissue on the peritoneal side; T2b invades perimuscular connective tissue on the hepatic side; T3 perforates the serosa or directly invades the liver or one other adjacent organ; T4 invades main portal vein, hepatic artery, or invades 2+ extrahepatic organs. Invasion of 2 cm into liver parenchyma without major vessel or duct involvement is T3.
Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.