This cancer type starts in the gallbladder (a small organ located on the right side of the abdomen beneath the liver). This organ stores a fluid (known as bile) that the liver produces to digest food. However, this cancer type occurs quite rarely and can be successfully cured if it is found when the tumor is small. Unfortunately, most gallbladder cancers are found when tumors go beyond the gallbladder. As a result, the prognosis (chance to survive) is frequently poor.
Gallbladder cancer is usually found in advanced stages because it does not cause any symptoms. However, when symptoms occur, they are similar to common health conditions. Another reason why it is difficult to find this cancer type is that the gallbladder is hidden inside the body, which allows the tumor to grow more easily.
Symptoms
In the early stages, gallbladder cancer usually does not cause any symptoms. Check below some symptoms of this cancer type that often happen in advanced stages:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin) is difficult to see in Black or brown skin people.
- Unusual weight loss
- A tumor that may be felt through the skin
- Abdominal bloating or pain
You should visit a doctor immediately if any of the previous symptoms occur.
Causes
Healthcare providers do not fully understand why gallbladder cancer occurs. However, they know that cancer cells begin to multiply and form a tumor when DNA mutations (changes) happen. DNA contains instructions that tell cells how to grow, multiply, and when to die. However, in cancer cells, DNA gives different instructions. These abnormal cells form a tumor that may break and spread throughout the body. The cancer that spreads to other body parts is called metastatic cancer.
In most cases, this cancer type starts in the glandular cells that line the inside surface of the gallbladder. These cells are called adenocarcinoma and they refer to the way cancerous cells appear.
Risk Factors
Anyone can develop this cancer type. However, the following factors may increase your risk. Examples include:
- Sex – Women are more likely to develop this cancer type than men. Healthcare providers think the increased risk is linked with Estrogen, which is higher in females than males.
- Age – The risk of gallbladder cancer increases with aging and people over 65 years old are more prone to get it than younger people.
- Medical history of gallstones – This cancer type occurs more frequently in people with gallstones or who have had gallstones previously. However, gallbladder cancer is rare even in people with gallstones which commonly occur.
- Gallbladder conditions – Gallbladder cancer also may increase due to certain gallbladder conditions including polyps, infections, and chronic inflammation (including swelling and irritation)
- Bile duct inflammation – This condition usually occurs due to scarring of the cholangitis. This duct helps drain bile from the gallbladder and liver.
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent this cancer type because doctors do not know the exact cause.
Diagnosis
Physicians will ask you some questions about symptoms and medical history before diagnosing this cancer type. They can also perform a physical examination to check for signs of gallbladder cancer. Doctors may also perform some tests that will help to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms and confirm the condition. These include:
- Blood tests – These tests are done to check how the liver works and find potential causes of symptoms.
- Imaging tests – These include ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI scan. Previous tests are used to get detailed images of the gallbladder and surrounding tissues.
Gallbladder Cancer Staging
Once you are diagnosed with gallbladder cancer, doctors may perform additional tests that will help to stage the cancer (also known as the extent of the cancer). This helps to get the best treatment for you and increases the chances of successful treatment. Check below some tests and procedures used to stage the cancer:
- Bile duct tests – These include magnetic resonance cholangiography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.
- Other imaging tests – Doctors may perform additional imaging tests to check for any blockages of the bile duct, whether the cancer spread, and other abnormalities.
- Exploratory surgery – If surgery is an option for you, doctors may recommend looking inside if the cancer has spread before treatment. During this procedure (laparoscopy) the surgeon will make an incision in the abdomen and will insert a small camera to check the gallbladder near organs if the cancer has not spread.
Healthcare professionals stage the cancer ranging from 0 to 4. The lower is number the higher the chances of curing gallbladder cancer. Lower numbers also indicate the cancer does not spread and it is only in the gallbladder. For instance, stage 4 gallbladder cancer means cancerous cells spread to nearby organs and may go throughout the body.
Treatment
In most cases, treatment for gallbladder cancer involves surgery that removes the tumor. In case the cancer spreads to other nearby organs, surgery is not possible and doctors will prescribe other treatments. For example radiation therapy or chemotherapy instead. Moreover, healthcare professionals prescribe treatments according to the cancer stage you have.
Surgery
This treatment option is available for people whose cancer has not spread. Check below some surgery types:
- Cholecystectomy – This surgery type is effective for people with early gallbladder cancer. It involves the removal of the gallbladder.
- Surgery to remove the gallbladder and a part of the liver – This procedure involves the removal of the gallbladder and a small part of the liver, and bile duct that surrounds the gallbladder.
If your cancer is removed by cholecystectomy, this is usually the only treatment needed.
Chemotherapy
This treatment option involves strong medications that help to destroy cancer cells throughout the body. In most cases, patients receive these medicines intravenously (IV). Doctors usually recommend chemotherapy after surgery if there is a risk of some cancerous cells remaining.
Radiation Therapy
This treatment option involves powerful energy beams that come from X-rays, protons, or other sources. Doctors usually recommend this procedure when surgery is not possible and control symptoms such as pain and jaundice.
Targeted Therapy
This treatment option involves medications that attack certain proteins in the cancer cells causing them to die. Targeted therapy is used in people whose cancer cells have certain changes that cannot be targeted. However, doctors may perform some tests to determine if this treatment option will be effective for you.
Immunotherapy
Cancerous cells produce a substance that helps them hide from the immune system. Immunotherapy boosts the immune system to fight against cancer cells. However, this treatment option can be used if the gallbladder cancer is very large or it spreads to other body parts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the survival chances of a person with gallbladder cancer?
If the cancer is localized (meaning it does not spread to other body parts) there are 69% of 5-year survival chances. This survival rate lowers to 28% if the cancer goes throughout the body. Consult with your doctor for more details.
Is it possible to cure gallbladder cancer?
Yes, if it is detected early and the tumor is small. Once the tumor breaks away and spreads to nearby organs or other body parts prognosis generally is poor. Unfortunately, this cancer type is often found in advanced stages because it does not cause any symptoms.
What are the primary symptoms of gallbladder cancer?
- Fever
- Abdominal bloating or pain
- Unusual weight loss
- Abdominal lumps
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
If any of the symptoms listed above happen, immediately seek medical care. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare professional.
