Abstract
India accounts for more than 15% of all gallbladder cancer (GBC) diagnosed worldwide,
with around 21,000 new cases diagnosed in 2022. However, a large proportion of these
cases are concentrated along the banks of river Ganges flowing through northern and
northeastern parts of India. GBC incidence in the Gangetic belt is around 10 times
more than the rates reported from the rest of the country. In our article, we evaluated
the various factors responsible for this geographic disparity and propose microplastic
contamination of the river Ganges as the possible etiology for increased GBC prevalence
along the Gangetic belt. Here, we attempted to describe existing literature on the
harmful effects of microplastics particularly focusing on its carcinogenic potential.
Although no proven association exists between GBC and microplastics, we believe there
is strong circumstantial evidence to support this claim. However. extensive studies
on the role of microplastics in GBC pathophysiology should be performed before any
conclusion can be made on its carcinogenic potential.
Keywords
cancer - gallbladder cancer - microplastics
