Gallbladder Cancer, an uncommon cancer, is a disease
in which cancer cells are found in the tissues of the
gallbladder.
The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ below the liver
that collects and stores bile. Gallbladder cancer
begins in the innermost layer of tissue and spreads
through the outer layers as it grows.
Causes
Gallstones are the most significant risk factor for
the development of gallbladder cancer.
Cancer of the gallbladder is more common in women than
in men. It is also more common in people who have hard
clusters of material in their gallbladder. Chronic
inflammation of the gallbladder from infection also
increases the risk for gallbladder cancer.
Symptoms
The symptoms of gallbladder cancer may be similar to
other diseases of the gallbladder, such as gallstones
or infection. There may be no symptoms in the early
stages, symptoms may include:
- Yellow skin
- Yellow eyes
- Pain in right upper abdomen
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Diffuse skin itching
Treatment
Surgery is a common treatment for cancer of the
gallbladder if it has not spread to surrounding
tissues. Your doctor may take out the gallbladder in
an operation called a cholecystectomy. Part of the
liver around the gallbladder and lymph nodes in the
abdomen may also be removed.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because
the drug enters the blood stream, travels through the
body, and can kill cancer cells outside the
gallbladder.
Radiation therapy uses X-rays to kill cancer cells and
shrink tumors. Radiation for gallbladder cancer
usually comes from a machine outside the body.
