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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.