Gall Bladder Cancer

Home
Gall Bladder Cancer

What is gallbladder cancer?

Gallbladder cancer happens when normal cells in the gallbladder change into abnormal cells and grow out of control. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that is tucked under the liver. The gallbladder stores bile, a fluid that is made in the liver and helps the body break down fat.

Most people with gallbladder cancer have or have had another gallbladder condition called "gallstones." Gallstones are small stones that form inside the gallbladder and can irritate its inner lining.

What are the symptoms of gallbladder cancer?

Early on, gallbladder cancer might not cause any symptoms. In many cases, gallbladder cancer is found unexpectedly when:

A doctor takes out the gallbladder to treat symptoms that are thought to be caused by gallstones. (Gallstones can cause symptoms similar to those of gallbladder cancer.)
A doctor does imaging tests of the belly for another reason. Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body.

When gallbladder cancer causes symptoms, they can include:

Belly pain, especially in the upper right side or upper middle part of the belly
Loss of appetite
Nausea or vomiting
Weight loss
Jaundice, which is when the skin and white part of the eye turn yellow

All of these symptoms can also be caused by conditions that are not gallbladder cancer. But if you have these symptoms, tell your doctor or nurse.

Is there a test for gallbladder cancer?

Yes. To check for gallbladder cancer, your doctor will do an imaging test. Imaging tests can include an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI scan.

What is cancer staging?

Cancer staging is a way in which doctors find out if a cancer has spread past the layer of tissue where it began, and, if so, how far.

The right treatment for you will depend a lot on the stage of your gallbladder cancer and your other medical problems.

How is gallbladder cancer treated?

Gallbladder cancer is usually treated with 1 or more of the following:

Surgery
Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy is the medical term for medicines that kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.
Radiation therapy – Radiation kills cancer cells.

Gallbladder cancer can sometimes be cured with treatment. This is most likely when the cancer is found at an early stage. But, often, gallbladder cancer is not found at an early stage. If your gallbladder cancer cannot be cured, your doctor can do other treatments to help with your pain, jaundice, or other symptoms.

Gall Bladder Cancer

Subscribe to Our Newsletter