Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Association Between Gallstones and Cholecystectomy With Liver Cancer Publisher



Ghorbani Doshantapeh A¹ ; Hameed Rashid M² ; Muslim Mhaibes R³ ; Cheraghalian A⁴ ; Emamieh S⁵ ; Hasheminezhad N⁶ ; Neshati A⁷ ; Mardanparvar H^{8, 9} ; Ghaffariyan S⁴
Source: Immunopathologia Persa Published:2025

Abstract

Introduction: Cholelithiasis and related treatments are associated with several gastrointestinal cancers. Thus, the present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the relationship between cholelithiasis and cholecystectomy with the risk of liver cancer. Materials and Methods: The present study is a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We performed a search on the databases of Web of Science, Cochrane, ProQuest, PubMed, and Google Scholar until January 21, 2024. Moreover, the statistical analysis was performed using the STATA 14, and the significance level was set at P<0.05. Results: The present meta-analysis included 15 studies with a total sample size of 1 426 704 participants. According to our results, a significant association between cholelithiasis and liver cancer (OR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.52, 2.03), as well as cholecystectomy and liver cancer (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.29, 1.87) were detected. Moreover, the relationship between cholelithiasis and liver cancer was significant in cohort studies (OR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.51, 2.04) and insignificant in case-control studies (OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 0.86). However, there was a significant relationship between cholecystectomy and liver cancer in both the cohort (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.29, 2.04) and case-control studies (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.41). Conclusion: In conclusion, cholelithiasis and cholecystectomy increased the risk of liver cancer by 76% and 55%, respectively. Thus, they can be considered as risk factors for liver cancer. © 2025 The Author(s); Published by Nickan Research Institute.