Gallbladder cancer is a rare type of cancer that can develop anywhere in the gallbladder. According to the Mayo Clinic, the gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located on the right side of the abdomen, just beneath the liver. Its primary function is to store bile, a fluid produced by the liver that aids in digestion.
This type of cancer is uncommon, and in many cases, it is diagnosed incidentally when patients are undergoing treatment for other gallbladder-related conditions, such as gallstones. Early detection of gallbladder cancer significantly improves the chances of a cure, particularly when the cancer is small and confined to the gallbladder. However, most cases are discovered at advanced stages, when the cancer has already spread beyond the gallbladder, leading to a poor prognosis.
Several factors contribute to the late diagnosis of gallbladder cancer. These include the organ’s position, the absence of specific symptoms, and the overall rarity of the condition.
The causes of gallbladder cancer are often linked to lifestyle factors. According to NHS Health, being overweight, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption are significant risk factors. Women are at a higher risk of developing gallbladder cancer, and the disease is most commonly diagnosed in individuals over the age of 75, with the highest prevalence in those over 85. Certain medical conditions, such as gallstones, gallbladder polyps, porcelain gallbladder, abnormal bile ducts, chronic inflammation of the gallbladder or bile ducts, and diabetes, also increase the risk. A family history of gallbladder cancer can further elevate the likelihood of developing the disease.
Common symptoms of gallbladder cancer include jaundice, where the whites of the eyes or the skin turn yellow, accompanied by itchy skin, darker urine, and pale stools. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss, high fever or chills, a lump in the abdomen, pain on the right side of the belly, and abdominal swelling.
The diagnosis of gallbladder cancer typically involves imaging and blood tests. NHS outlines several diagnostic methods, including blood tests, ultrasound scans, CT scans, PET scans, MRI scans, and cholangiography, a specialized X-ray to examine bile ducts. In some cases, a biopsy may be conducted to collect and analyze cells from the gallbladder. A laparoscopy, a minor surgical procedure that allows doctors to view the abdomen, may also be performed. According to the Mayo Clinic, additional tests to assess the stage of the cancer may include bile duct blockage tests using dye and imaging, such as magnetic resonance cholangiography or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.
Treatment options for gallbladder cancer depend on the stage of the disease. Surgery is often the primary treatment for cancers that have not spread beyond the gallbladder. This may involve removing the gallbladder alone or along with a portion of the liver. For advanced cases, radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy may be used after surgery if the cancer could not be entirely removed. Other treatment options include immunotherapy and targeted therapy, which are tailored to the specific characteristics of the cancer.
