Gallbladder Cancer

Some gallbladder problems can lead to gallbladder cancer. This organ is important for normal digestion. It helps in digesting fatty foods, and it also concentrates bile. The gallbladder controls the release of bile. Once you eat something, bile will be released into your intestines to facilitate digestion. The gallbladder is very small.

It is composed of three parts: neck, body, and fundus. When fats enter your digestive system, the substance called cholecystokinin is released. Then, the bile will be released, in order to emulsify fats from the foods that are now partly digested.

After being stored in the gallbladder for a while, bile will become concentrated, and this will make it even more effective when it comes to fat digestion. A study was done in 2009 showed that the gallbladder actually excreted some pancreatic hormones. One of them was insulin. That discovery was quite a surprise because it was believed that only pancreatic B cells could produce insulin. This was actually the evidence that these insulin-producing cells could be found outside the pancreas.

Gallstones

Gallbladder disorders are usually caused by gallstones. In some cases, gallstones can be present in the body, but without showing any symptoms. The first symptoms of gallstones will occur once the stones grow bigger. Some gallstones can be barely visible, while others can be quite large. The composition of gallstones may vary. There are three types of gallstones: pigment stones, cholesterol stones, and mixed stones. Sometimes, the treatment can include some natural remedies, but in severe cases, surgery can be required. Gallbladder disorders can be caused by various factors. However, most of these problems are caused by gallstones. Sometimes, gallstones can get stuck inside the bile duct and cause further complications. Early diagnosis will certainly prevent further complications, and the treatment will probably be less demanding. However, in severe cases, gallbladder surgery may be the only option.

Gallbladder Cancer

Gallbladder cancer is a rare condition. However, this type of gallbladder disorder is more likely to occur in people who live in southern and central parts of America, as well as Eastern Europe. Hispanic people seem to be more likely to develop this type of gallbladder disorder. It has also become more common in China. If diagnosed early, this condition can be successfully treated with gallbladder removal. The lymph nodes and one part of the liver will also be removed in this surgery. Being so rare, this condition has to be studied more. It is believed that gallstones can contribute to this disease. Gallstones can also cause gallbladder calcification (also called “porcelain gallbladder”). However, porcelain gallbladder is a rare condition. According to some studies, people who suffer from porcelain gallbladder are at risk of getting gallbladder cancer. On the other hand, there are studies that show different discoveries.

If not diagnosed in time, gallbladder cancer can be quite difficult to treat. Let us learn more about the risk factors.

• Obesity is one of the major risk factors for this condition. In some parts of the world, obesity is seen more than in other areas.
• Gender is another contributing factor. Women are more prone to this disease than men are (especially women who are over fifty).
• Primary carcinoma can be one of the risk factors, too.

Gallbladder Cancer Symptoms

● Abdominal pain (located in the upper abdomen, on the right side)
● Appetite loss
● Weakness
● Vomiting
● Weight loss
● Jaundice

Gallbladder cancer can spread to other organs: bile duct, liver, duodenum, and stomach.

The symptoms can be similar to those of other gallbladder disorders. However, if you experience any gallbladder symptoms, you have to visit your doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis of gallbladder disorder will reduce the chances of further complications. However, gallbladder cancer is hard to diagnose early, because the symptoms can be quite unspecific. That is why it is important to diagnose other gallbladder problems, such as gallstones. These disorders are usually diagnosed using CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, MRCP, and endoscopic ultrasounds.

Gallbladder removal is considered the safest way to treat this condition. Lymph nodes will also be removed, as well as one part of the liver. However, in some cases, even surgery can be ineffective. Radiation and chemotherapy can also be helpful in treating this condition. In cases where this problem is discovered after the removal of the gallbladder, another surgery will have to be done as soon as possible, in order to remove the lymph nodes and one part of the liver.