What is gallbladder cancer?
Gallbladder cancer is rare but it is the most common type of
cancer of the bile tract. When abnormal cells grow uncontrollably,
they are called cancers.
The digestive tract (mouth, esophagus, stomach, large intestine,
and small intestine) plus the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas
make up the digestive system. The gallbladder, which is linked to
the liver and small intestine, stores bile. After you eat, your
gallbladder empties bile into the intestine to help you break down
your food, especially fats.
How does it occur?
The cause of gallbladder cancer is not known. Most people who have
gallbladder cancer also have gallstones. However, even if you have
gallstones, the risk of getting cancer is very low.
Cancer in the gallbladder can spread to the liver and block the
flow of bile, which causes many of the symptoms of gallbladder
cancer.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of gallbladder cancer include:
- loss of appetite
- unexplained weight loss
- nausea
- vomiting
- pain or discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomen
- jaundice (a yellow coloring of the skin and whites of the eyes
caused by bile building up in the body)
- itching of the skin.
How is it diagnosed?
During a physical exam, your healthcare provider may be able to
feel a lump in the upper right part of your abdomen, just below
the ribs. You may have special X-ray exams and a blood test.
However, gallbladder cancer is difficult to diagnose. Gallbladder
cancer is usually found unexpectedly during surgery to remove
gallstones.
How is it treated?
If the tumor is only in the lining of the gallbladder, you need
surgery to remove the gallbladder, called a cholecystectomy. If
the tumor is more advanced, you need to have more tissue removed,
called a radical resection. In a radical resection, the surgeon
removes the gallbladder, lymph nodes in the area, and part of the
liver. The surgery gives a chance for cure and can lessen
symptoms.
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 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
your cancer was large enough to involve the liver or local lymph
nodes, then the chance of cure is lower and depends on the success
of the radical resection.
If the cancer has spread, your chances of recovery are far less.
Spread, also called metastasis, means that cells from the tumor in
your gallbladder have traveled through the bloodstream and
lymphatic system and have started to grow new tumors in other
places in your body. If your cancer has spread, talk to your
healthcare provider about your chances for cure.
How can I take care of myself?
Talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns you have about
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
something, ask your provider to explain it. Take notes if you need
to.
When making a list of questions, you might want to ask the
following:
- How much has the cancer grown? Your healthcare provider may
talk about the stage and possible spread of the cancer. Ask
what this means.
- What type of treatment is possible?
- How effective is the treatment for gallbladder cancer?
- What are the benefits and risks of having treatment or of not
having treatment?
- What are the complications of treatment?
- How much will the treatment lengthen my life?
- If I start having pain, what are the ways I can control it?
Medicines? Relaxation methods? Hypnosis? Imagery?
- Is there a support group in the area for people with cancer
and for their family members?
- How will this affect my life? Is there anything I cannot
do--school, work, sex, travel?
- Are my children more likely to have gallbladder cancer?
- What about other treatments such as diet, herbs, vitamins?
- Should I be on a special diet?
It is important to eat a balanced diet, get plenty of rest, and
follow the advice of your healthcare provider. It is helpful to
lessen stress in your life and take time to relax.
For more information, contact:
What can be done to help prevent gallbladder cancer?
Since gallbladder cancer is a rare cancer of unknown cause, there
is no known way to prevent it.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
© 2009 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
This
information is approved and/or reviewed by U-M Health System providers
but it is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for medical
treatment. You should speak to your physician or make
an appointment to be seen if you have questions or concerns about
this information or your medical condition.