Advances in research of pancreaticobiliary maljunction-associated gallbladder cancer

Abstract

Pancreatobiliary maljunction (PBM) represents a congenital anatomical abnormality of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system, frequently predisposing individuals to recurrent cholangitis and pancreatitis. Accumulating evidence indicates that PBM is a precancerous lesion, and PBM plays an important role in the development and progression of gallbladder cancer (GBC). GBC arising from PBM is designated as PBM-associated GBC. Consequently, early diagnosis and treatment of PBM is paramount in mitigating the risk of GBC. This review outlined the epidemiology and advancements in the diagnosis and management of PBM, along with the clinical features, underlying mechanisms, and therapeutic progressions pertaining to PBM-associated GBC, in order to underscore the clinical significance of early intervention in PBM, so as to reduce the incidence of PBM-associated GBC.

Keywords

• |pancreaticobiliary maljunction(pbm)|gallbladder cancer(gbc)|biliary tract neoplasm