The gallbladder is a small pouch-like, a pear-shaped organ found just under the liver and on the right side of your abdomen. This small organ is responsible for storing bile juice produced by the liver. Bile juice is useful for the process of digestion. The gallbladder, however, is highly susceptible to being affected by cancer cells. Gallbladder cancer is one of the most common cancers in India with nearly 10% of the global burden.
In this article, with insights from Dr Vinay Samuel Gaikwad, a leading surgical oncologist in Gurgaon, we will explore everything you may need to know about gallbladder cancer.
Table of Contents
Gallbladder cancer occurs when the cells in the gallbladder mutate and spread at an abnormal rate. The cancer cells may remain in the organ or even spread outside the gallbladder.
The outer wall of the gallbladder is made up of four layers of tissue:
Cancer begins to grow in the inner layer, that is, the mucosal layer and spreads through the outer layers. This cancer can further spread through your tissues, lymph nodes or blood.
This cancer is not usually detected in its stages due to its asymptomatic character. However, common symptoms include:
Some of the above-given symptoms may overlap with symptoms of other digestive conditions. Hence it is important to consult a healthcare provider at the earliest for a thorough and accurate diagnosis.
Gallbladder cancer progresses through five stages:
Stage 0: When the cancer is confined to the inner layer of the gallbladder
Stage 1: When cancer has spread to the muscle layer
Stage 2: When the cancer cells have spread to the connective tissue
Stage 3: When cancer has metasised to the nearby organs and lymph nodes
Stage 4: When the cancer has advanced to the lymph nodes and organs located far from the gallbladder
The most common type is adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that starts in the glandular cells of your body.
Other types of gallbladder cancers include papillary adenocarcinoma, adenosquamous carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and carcinosarcomas. These types, however, are extremely rare.
The exact reason why gallbladder cancer occurs is yet unknown to medical science. Researchers and doctors believe that healthy cells inside the gallbladder mutate in their DNA and begin to multiply abnormally leading to the growth of cancer.
Though the precise reason for gallbladder cancer is undefined, we do know that some people are more vulnerable to developing this cancer than others.
Gallbladder cancer is more prevalent in women as compared to men. Other risk factors for why gallbladder cancer occurs include:
Gallbladder cancer, popularly termed as ‘an Indian disease’, is highly prevalent in the northern parts of India. The incidence of gallbladder cancer in India is reported at 9/100000 in women.
The probable cause for this alarming incidence is the prevalance of gallstones. Gallstones and cancer have found to be interrelated. It has been noted that nearly 95% gallbladder cancer patients have suffered from gallstones. Researches believe that the chronic irritation caused by the stones leads to the eventual development of cancer.
It is, thus, suggested that in case a person suffers from large gallstones, the treatment protocol should include the removal of the gallbladder in order to avoid the probability of cancer.
Another reason for this cancer, especially in the Indian population, is the sedantary and unhealthy lifestyle habits that includes nutrient deficient diet and a lack of physical activity.
Due to it asymptomtic nature, this cancer is not diagnosed early on. In most cases, this cancer is identified on the onset of gallstones or other disorders.
In order to diagnose your condition, your oncologist will perform the following gallbladder cancer test:
Your oncologist may also administer other lab tests such as Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) assay and CA 19-9 assay.
In addition to the above gallbladder cancer test, your oncologist may order overall physical health checks, endoscopic ultrasound, biopsy and diagnostic laparoscopy to diagnose cancer.
The treatment protocol will depend on the type of cancer, stage of cancer, if the cancer has spread, your overall health and the severity of your symptoms. You will receive treatment through a multidisciplnary care team which will include surgical oncologist, medical oncologist, gastrenterologist and radition oncologist.
In most cases, more than one treatment protocols are used in a combination for effective outcomes. Listed below are some common treatment methods for gallbladder cancer:
It is not highly likely to prevent gallbladder cancer. However, you can take cautious steps to decrease your risk. Some expert-approved tips include:
The disease burden of gallbladder cancer is uncommon. Nonetheless, its incidence in India is preferably high. It is important for patients to understand that timely detection can help in seeking timely and effective treatment in the long run.
If you have higher risk for gallbladder cancer or if you are experiencing bothersome symptoms, visit the CK Birla Hospital, best hospital for gallbladder cancer in India.
Ques: How fast does gallbladder cancer grow?
Ans: If the cancer is not addressed in its early stages, it can grow at an alarming speed.
Ques: Can stage 4 gallbladder cancer be cured?
Ans: Gallbladder cancer only be cured if it has not spread beyond the primary organ. Stage 4 can, thus, can be effectively treated.
Ques: How long can a person live with gallbladder cancer?
Ans: The survival rate depends on the type, stage and spread of cancer as well as patient’s overall health.
