Arsenic Induced Gallbladder Cancer Risk in Eastern Part of Indo-Gangetic Plains
Abstract BackgroundIn recent times Gallbladder cancer (GBC) incidences increased many folds in India. Majority of GBC cases are being reported from arsenic hotspots identified in Bihar. MethodsIn this prospective study volunteers were selected who underwent surgery in our cancer institute. There were 11 control benign gallbladder cases and 28 confirmed gallbladder cancer cases. Their biological samples such as blood, gallbladder tissue, gallbladder stone, bile and hair samples were collected for arsenic estimation. Moreover, n=512 gallbladder cancer patients blood samples were evaluated for the presence of arsenic to understand exposure level in the population. ResultsA significantly high arsenic concentration (p<0.05) was detected in the blood samples, gallbladder tissue, gallstones, bile and hair samples in comparison to the control group. Moreover, n=512 blood samples of GBC patients had significantly very high arsenic concentration. ConclusionsThe study shows very high arsenic concentration observed in the blood, gallbladder tissue, gallbladder stone, bile and hair samples in GBC cases in comparison to the benign control cases indicates the correlation between chronic arsenic exposure and gallbladder cancer incidences in eastern Indo-Gangetic plains region. The study also makes an attempt to establish the likely correlation/association between arsenic exposure and gallbladder cancer disease.