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Home > Cancer and Treatments > Gastrointestinal Cancers Gallbladder Cancer
DefinitionGallbladder cancer is rare but it is the most common type of malignancy of the bile tract. A malignancy is a harmful, uncontrolled growth of cells. It occurs slightly more often in women than in men and in people over the age of 60.Diagnosis / Getting TreatmentGallbladder cancer is treated in the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center's Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer Clinic. Read more about Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer Clinic View the list of Gastrointestinal physicians; this link opens to a page on the UMHS website. How does it occur?The digestive tract (mouth, stomach, large and small intestines), liver, gallbladder, and pancreas make up the digestive system. The gallbladder, which is linked by small ducts to the liver and small intestine, acts as a storehouse for bile, the substance needed to digest fats. After you eat a meal your gallbladder empties bile into the intestine to help you digest your food, especially fats. A tumor in the gallbladder blocks the flow of bile, which then leads to many of the symptoms of gallbladder cancer.The cause of gallbladder cancer is not known. Most people who have gallbladder cancer also have gallstones. However, for a person with gallstones the risk of getting cancer is very low. What are the symptoms?The symptoms include the following:
How is it diagnosed?During a physical exam, your health care provider may be able to feel that you have a large liver and gallbladder. You may have blood tests. However, gallbladder cancer is difficult to diagnose. Gallbladder cancer is usually found unexpectedly during surgery to remove gallstones.What is the treatment?If the tumor is only in the lining of the gallbladder, you need a cholecystectomy, which is surgery to remove the gallbladder. If the tumor has spread, you need a radical resection. In a radical resection, the surgeon removes the gallbladder and lymph nodes in the area and the rim of the liver. The surgery helps to decrease symptoms caused by the backup of bile.Radiation therapy (high doses of radiation to kill the cancer cells) and chemotherapy (anticancer drugs) are not usually used to treat gallbladder cancer because these treatments have not yet been shown to be effective. How long will the effects last?If you have a tumor that is only in the lining of the gallbladder, you have a good chance of cure if your gallbladder is removed.If the cancer has metastasized (spread), your chances of recovery are far less. During metastasis, the tumor in your gallbladder sheds cancer cells that travel through the bloodstream and lymphatic system and lodge in other parts of the body, where the cancer cells begin to grow new tumors. If your cancer has metastasized, talk to your health care provider about your prospects for cure. How can I take care of myself?Talk to your health care provider about any concerns you have regarding the course of your illness and treatments. Ask about side effects you may have from treatments. You may want to make a list of questions at home and take it with you when you visit your provider. Ask a friend to go with you who can listen, too. If you don't understand a word or concept, ask your provider to explain it. Take notes if you need to.When compiling a list of questions, you might consider the following:
It is important to eat a balanced diet, get plenty of rest, and follow the advice of your health care provider. It is helpful to lessen stress in your life and take time to relax. For more information, contact:
How can I help prevent gallbladder cancer?Since gallbladder cancer is a rare cancer of unknown cause, there is no known way to prevent it.> |
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University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center This site is part of the U-M Health System. The information presented is not a tool for self diagnosis or a substitute for professional care. © 2008 U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center |
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