Gallbladder Cancer Treatment

Gallbladder cancer treatment will be discussed in the following article. Gallbladder cancer is not a very common condition. In fact, its geographical distribution is quite strange: this condition seems to be quite common in South America, eastern and central Europe, northern India, and Japan. However, it is also commonly seen in Hispanics and Native American Indians.

Gallbladder cancer can be treated with gallbladder surgery if diagnosed early. Lymph nodes and one part of the liver will also be removed, along with the gallbladder. The problem with recognizing this type of cancer is that the symptoms are non-specific; the symptoms of gallbladder cancer can be mistaken for symptoms of other gallbladder disorders. Therefore, it is important to visit a doctor as soon as the first gallbladder symptoms occur.

The Most Common Symptoms of Gallbladder Cancer

•  Appetite loss
•  Abdominal pain
•  Abdominal bloating
•  Nausea
•  Jaundice
•  Unexpected weight loss
•  Fever

As you can see, all of these symptoms are quite similar to those of other gallbladder disorders. If you experience any of these problems, visit your doctor as soon as possible.

The exact cause of gallbladder cancer is yet to be found. This condition has to be studied more; however, doctors believe that it can be caused by gallstones. Gallstones are considered responsible for nearly all gallbladder disorders; they can cause calcification of gallbladder walls (“porcelain gallbladder”), which is also a rare condition. The connection between these two problems is yet to be determined. There are experts who claim that porcelain gallbladder does not cause gallbladder cancer, and several studies have been done in order to prove this assumption.

Gallbladder Cancer Treatment

• Gallbladder cancer is a serious condition. The treatment depends on various factors. In fact, gallbladder cancer can only be treated if diagnosed early. In many cases, this condition is lethal, because it is not easy to recognize and it remains untreated for a long time.
•  Gallbladder cancer always requires gallbladder removal. Along with the gallbladder, one part of the liver and lymph nodes will be taken out.
•  Gallbladder cancer usually shows no symptoms in the beginning. That is exactly what makes it so dangerous. When the symptoms start occurring, it may be too late to treat this condition.
• If cancer has advanced, it can be treated in several ways.
• The endoscopic stent can be used when the bile duct is blocked by the tumor. The stent will drain the bile.
• If other parts of the body are affected by cancer, gallbladder surgery will not be enough. Other methods will be used, such as:

– Radiation (commonly used in cases where cancer has spread)
– Chemotherapy

Risk Factors

• Although little is known about this condition, researches have revealed some contributing factors:
• Other gallbladder disorders. If a person suffers from any type of gallbladder disease (gallbladder infections, porcelain gallbladder, etc), the risk of getting gallbladder cancer is increased.
• Age. As we grow older, the risk of gallbladder cancer increases.
• Gallstones. People who have gallstones are at greater risk of developing gallbladder cancer.
• Gender. Women are more prone to all gallbladder disorders than men are.

If you experience any of the symptoms we mentioned here, visit your doctor as soon as possible. Nearly all gallbladder disorders show similar symptoms, so if you experience any of these, it does not mean you have gallbladder cancer. However, it is always better to visit your doctor on time. If diagnosed early, most gallbladder disorders can be successfully treated. Some of these problems do not even require gallbladder surgery if detected at an early stage.