Gallbladder Cancer - Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Gallbladder cancer is a common cancer type in aged individuals and those belonging to ethnic and racial groups.

It can primarily start in the gallbladder and gradually spread to other parts of the body.

Since the survival rate is low, individuals should consult a doctor at the earliest. Keep reading to learn about the symptoms of this cancer and treatment procedure.

What Is Gallbladder Cancer?

Gallbladder cancer occurs when malignant or cancerous tumour cells grow in the gallbladder. It is a pear-shaped organ located under the liver in the upper abdomen.

This cancer usually starts in the mucosal layer and gradually spreads to other organs.

However, it is difficult to identify the symptoms of gallbladder cancer. In some instances, the cancer is found after gallbladder surgery. In such situations, cancer remains undetected until it has reached an advanced stage.

These cancerous cells combine into a tumour that grows beyond the gallbladder area. They reach the metastasis stage, where most organs have been infected.

Hence, it is vital to know who are at higher risk of suffering from gallbladder cancer. This will help individuals identify the bodily changes and reach an oncologist at the earliest.

Who Is at Risk of Developing Gallbladder Cancer?

Individuals should know that women are at a higher risk of suffering from gallbladder cancer than men. There are some ethnic groups or cultural races that are likely to fall in the risk zone. These include -

Asian American
Alaskan natives
American Indian
Black

Certain conditions or habits can also increase the risk of this cancer. Here are some -

Avid smokers
Individuals exposed to radiation
Those exposed to chemicals in tannery or textiles
Suffering from primary sclerosing cholangitis
Patients with cysts in their common bile duct
Individuals aged 72 or above
Obese or overweight individuals
Patients with inflammation, infection or gallbladder polyps
Those consuming unhealthy and junk food
Individuals infected with salmonella

Here, it is essential to note that having a gallbladder stone doesn’t indicate a chance of gallbladder cancer. However, ignoring it for a prolonged period can lead to gallbladder cancer.

Now, let’s check the types of gallbladder cancer. Determining the type will help an oncologist plan the treatment procedure and medication.

What Are the Types of Gallbladder Cancer?

The gallbladder cancer type entirely depends on the cell kind that has infected the organ. Individuals should know that several cell variants develop gallbladder cancer types.

The standard variant of gallbladder cancer is gallbladder adenocarcinoma. In this condition, gland-like cells that line the gallbladder are infected.

There are three variants of this cancer type -

Papillary adenocarcinoma
Non-papillary adenocarcinoma
Mucinous adenocarcinoma

Other types of gallbladder cancer include squamous cell carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma and carcinosarcoma.

Hence it is essential to conduct an early diagnosis by keeping a tab over the symptoms.

What Are the Symptoms of Gallbladder Cancer?

It is difficult to identify gallbladder cancer at the earliest. Here, the symptoms are similar to chronic health conditions. The location of the gallbladder also makes it challenging to identify these issues.

However, here are some common indications that individuals can look out for.

Pain in the stomach area or above
Vomiting and nausea
Jaundice
Fever
Lumps in abdomen
Bloating

Individuals who notice such symptoms must immediately consult an oncologist. Knowing the cause of this cancer will help them decide the treatment procedure.

Causes of Gallbladder Cancer

There are no apparent causes for gallbladder cancer. There can be instances like a mutation in an individual’s DNA leading to rapid cell growth.

This cell growth leads to the formation of tumours which spreads into nearby tissue, nodes and body parts.

Individuals should know that most gallbladder cancer types start at glandular cells. This condition is termed adenocarcinoma. Avoiding the causes of long-term gallbladder inflammation can lead to gallbladder cancer.

However, falling in the risk zone doesn’t indicate that an individual is suffering from cancer. It is always beneficial to conduct regular health checkups for early detection.

Let’s check the stages of gallbladder cancer to understand this disease in detail.

A medical practitioner categorises the cancer stages based on the infection or the area of cancer. Here the metastasis becomes the biggest concern. In this process, an oncologist will assign a number to indicate how much cancer has spread throughout the body.

Stage	Description
0	Here, this cancer is restricted to the mucosal layer of the gallbladder
1	Stage 1 gallbladder cancer is a condition where it has spread to the muscle layer
2	Here, the infection has spread to the connective tissue layer and beyond muscle
3	Cancer has moved to nearby organs, lymph nodes and liver
4	Stage 4 gallbladder cancer indicates it has moved to adjacent lymph nodes, organs and nearby vessels

Let’s check the treatment of gallbladder cancer stages mentioned above.

Recommended Treatments for Gallbladder Cancer

It is essential to identify gallbladder cancer before it spreads to other organs. Here are some standard treatment methods used by oncologists.

Surgery- A surgeon may remove the gallbladder and nearby tissue. They may also remove lymph nodes and part of the liver near the gallbladder.
Radiation- In this therapy, radiations are passed through the body to destroy cancer cells. This takes care of healthy cells and reduces their damage. However, there are side effects such as nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, skin problems, etc.
Chemotherapy- In this method, drugs are injected into a patient’s body or given orally to kill cancer cells.

Individuals should know that scientists are still trying to find a new treatment for gallbladder cancer. Some of the trails are -

Immunotherapy
Radiation sensitisers
Targeted therapy

How to Prevent Gallbladder Cancer?

Gallbladder cancer can’t be prevented. However, individuals can practice specific ways to reduce the risk factors of gallbladder cancer.

Maintaining a healthy weight
Exercising
Consuming a healthy and balanced diet
Avoiding smoking and drinking liquor

These are the required information on gallbladder cancer, its symptoms, and treatment procedure. Individuals with a family history of cancer should maintain regular checkups for early diagnosis of cancer.

This will prevent a patient from reaching stage 4 gallbladder cancer.

Frequently Asked Questions

All

Can heredity cause gallbladder cancer?

No, gallbladder cancer is not hereditary.

Do I need further treatment after surgery for advanced gallbladder cancer?

Yes, an individual may need to have additional surgery. They may also need a follow up of radiation or chemotherapy.