Chronic inflammation and gallbladder cancer

•Chronic inflammation is probably the most common causative factor for gallbladder cancer.•Chronic inflammation induces genetic alterations in oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes.•Chronic inflammation contributes to survival and proliferation of mutated sells.•Elimination of risk factors resulting in chronic inflammation is very important to prevention of gallbladder cancer.

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the most common biliary tract malignancy with an extremely poor prognosis. Epidemiological data have demonstrated that chronic inflammation resulting from infection of gallbladder or gallstones predispose individuals to GBC. Recent studies have begun to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying the development of GBC in the setting of chronic inflammation. It is possible that persistently local inflammatory reactions may contribute to the development and progression of GBC through inducing genetic alterations, and subsequent promoting survival and proliferation of mutated sells, inhibiting apoptosis, stimulating angiogenesis and metastasis. This article reviews the current understanding of the involvement of chronic inflammation in gallbladder tumorigenesis.