Abstract
The sonographic features of T2 gallbladder cancer that are associated with long-term survival are described. The tumors are divided into three types, which were the ‘sonographically early’ type, the ‘small polypoid invasive’ type, and the ‘small flat invasive’ type. The outer high echoic layer of the gallbladder was maintained intact in all types. The ‘sonographically early’ type of tumor showed solid low-echogenicity mass and/or localized wall thickening, and is very close to an early cancer. Pathologically, these lesions show minimal invasion of the subserosa and their prognosis is generally good. The ‘small polypoid invasive’ type of tumor showed hypoechoic area within the polypoid lesion which suggested subserosal invasion. The ‘small flat invasive’ type of tumor has a high echoic irregular surface along with lower and more irregular internal echogenisity. These lesions are generally small, but invade deeply into the subserosa. Because of few tumors of this type were detected, further study is necessary to evaluate the prognosis.
