Gallbladder Cancer

What is Gallbladder Cancer?

Gallbladder cancer is a rare but aggressive form of cancer that begins in the gallbladder — a small, pear-shaped organ located under the liver on the right side of the abdomen. The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver.

Gallbladder cancer often goes unnoticed in its early stages because symptoms are non-specific and mimic other gallbladder conditions like gallstones or infections. Early diagnosis is key to better outcomes.

Types of Gallbladder Cancer

Adenocarcinoma (most common)
- Starts in the glandular cells lining the gallbladder
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Rare and aggressive
Adenosquamous Carcinoma
- Contains both glandular and squamous cells
Neuroendocrine Tumors & Sarcomas
- Extremely rare

Symptoms of Gallbladder Cancer

Many symptoms overlap with gallstones or bile duct problems, which often delays diagnosis. Watch for:

Persistent pain in the upper right abdomen
Nausea or vomiting
Unexplained weight loss
Loss of appetite
Bloating after meals
Yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice)
Dark-colored urine
Pale or greasy stools
Fever (if infection is present)
A palpable mass in the abdomen (in advanced cases)

Note: If you’ve had gallstones and experience new or persistent symptoms, get evaluated.

Causes & Risk Factors

Gallstones – Chronic gallstone irritation is the most common risk factor
Porcelain Gallbladder – Calcium deposits in the gallbladder wall
Gallbladder polyps
Chronic gallbladder infections or inflammation
Obesity and high-fat diet
Female gender – Women are affected more often than men
Age > 60 years
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
Choledochal cysts
Family history of gallbladder cancer
Ethnicity – Higher incidence in South Asians, Native Americans, and some South American populations

Diagnosis of Gallbladder Cancer

Clinical Evaluation
- History, physical examination, and symptom analysis
Imaging Tests
- Ultrasound Abdomen – Often the first test
- CT Scan – To evaluate extent and nearby organ involvement
- MRI/MRCP – To visualize bile ducts and liver infiltration
- PET-CT Scan – For staging and assessing spread
Blood Tests
- Liver function tests (LFTs)
- Tumor markers – CA 19-9, CEA (used for monitoring)
Biopsy or Surgical Exploration
- Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) or surgical biopsy to confirm diagnosis

Sometimes gallbladder cancer is discovered accidentally after gallbladder removal for presumed stones.

Stages of Gallbladder Cancer (TNM Classification)

Stage 0: Cancer is only in the innermost layer of the gallbladder
Stage I: Grown slightly into the gallbladder wall
Stage II: Invaded deeper or nearby tissues
Stage III: Spread to nearby lymph nodes or liver
Stage IV: Advanced stage; spread to distant organs (lungs, bones, peritoneum)

Treatment Options at Onco-Life Cancer Centre

Surgery
- Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder Removal) – For early-stage cases
- Extended Hepatectomy – Removal of part of the liver and lymph nodes (if cancer has spread)
- Surgery offers the best chance of cure if detected early
Chemotherapy
- Drugs like Gemcitabine, Cisplatin, or Capecitabine
- Used after surgery or in inoperable/metastatic cases
Radiation Therapy
- May be used post-operatively (adjuvant therapy) or for pain relief in advanced cases
- Advanced systems like Tomotherapy available for precision
Targeted Therapy / Immunotherapy
- Experimental in India but emerging for advanced gallbladder cancer with genetic markers
Palliative & Supportive Care
- Pain management, nutrition, bile drainage procedures
- Stenting for obstructed bile ducts (ERCP with stent placement)

Prevention Tips

Timely treatment of gallstones
Avoid high-fat and processed diets
Maintain healthy weight and lifestyle
Monitor gallbladder polyps if detected
Be aware of persistent upper abdominal pain or jaundice
Women over 50 with gallstone history should get regular check-ups