Gallbladder Cancer

What is Gallbladder Cancer?

Gallbladder cancer is a rare disease that starts in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small organ beneath your liver that stores bile, a fluid that helps digest fats. When cells in the gallbladder grow out of control, they form a tumor.

Most gallbladder cancers begin in the inner lining of the gallbladder wall. They often go undetected in early stages because the gallbladder sits deep inside your body. Symptoms usually appear only after the cancer has grown or spread. This makes early detection challenging but important.

Gallbladder cancer is uncommon, affecting about 4,000 people in the United States each year. It occurs more often in people over 65 and in women. When found early, treatment options are more effective. Understanding your risk factors and getting regular health screenings can help catch problems before they advance.

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Symptoms

Pain in the upper right part of your abdomen
Yellowing of your skin and eyes, called jaundice
Nausea and vomiting
Lumps in your abdomen
Loss of appetite
Unintended weight loss
Bloating or feeling full quickly
Fever
Dark urine and pale stools

Many people with early stage gallbladder cancer have no symptoms at all. The cancer is often found by accident during surgery for gallstones or other conditions. By the time symptoms appear, the cancer may have already grown or spread.

Causes and risk factors

The exact cause of gallbladder cancer is not fully understood. It develops when cells in the gallbladder develop changes in their DNA. These changes cause cells to grow and multiply out of control. The biggest risk factor is having gallstones, which are present in about 75% of people with gallbladder cancer. Chronic inflammation from gallstones may damage cells over time.

Other risk factors include age over 65, being female, having a family history of gallbladder cancer, and chronic gallbladder inflammation. Obesity and diabetes also increase your risk. Certain ethnic groups, including Native Americans and Mexican Americans, have higher rates. A condition called porcelain gallbladder, where the gallbladder wall becomes calcified, carries especially high risk. Smoking and exposure to certain chemicals used in rubber and textile industries may also play a role.

How it's diagnosed

Gallbladder cancer is diagnosed through a combination of imaging tests and blood work. Your doctor may order an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to look for tumors or abnormalities. Blood tests can help identify certain biomarkers that may be elevated in gallbladder cancer. The CA 19-9 test measures a protein that can be higher in people with this disease, though it can also be elevated in other conditions.

Rite Aid offers CA 19-9 testing as an add-on to help monitor for gallbladder cancer markers. Testing is available at Quest Diagnostics locations nationwide. A biopsy, where tissue is removed and examined under a microscope, provides the definitive diagnosis. Your doctor may also use procedures like endoscopic ultrasound to get a closer look at the gallbladder and surrounding areas.

Treatment options

Surgery to remove the gallbladder and surrounding tissue if cancer is caught early
Chemotherapy to kill cancer cells or slow their growth
Radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells with high-energy beams
Targeted drug therapy that attacks specific weaknesses in cancer cells
Immunotherapy to help your immune system fight cancer
Palliative care to manage symptoms and improve quality of life
Pain management through medications and supportive treatments
Nutritional support to maintain strength during treatment

Frequently asked questions

Early gallbladder cancer often has no symptoms at all. When symptoms do appear, they may include pain in the upper right abdomen, jaundice, nausea, and unexplained weight loss. Many cases are found accidentally during gallbladder removal for gallstones. If you experience persistent abdominal pain or jaundice, see your doctor promptly.

Blood tests can help but cannot diagnose gallbladder cancer on their own. The CA 19-9 test measures a protein that may be elevated in gallbladder cancer. However, this marker can also be high in other conditions like pancreatitis or bile duct blockages. Blood tests are used alongside imaging and biopsy for a complete evaluation.

People over 65, women, and those with a history of gallstones face higher risk. Other risk factors include chronic gallbladder inflammation, obesity, diabetes, and certain ethnic backgrounds like Native American or Mexican American. Having a family history of gallbladder cancer or a condition called porcelain gallbladder also increases risk. Smoking may contribute as well.

Gallbladder cancer can be curable if found very early, before it spreads. Surgery to remove the gallbladder and nearby tissue offers the best chance for cure in early stages. Unfortunately, most cases are diagnosed at later stages when cure is less likely. Treatment can still help control the disease and manage symptoms even in advanced cases.

Gallstones are hardened deposits of bile that form in the gallbladder and are very common. Gallbladder cancer is a malignant tumor that develops from abnormal cell growth. While gallstones are usually harmless, they are the biggest risk factor for gallbladder cancer. Most people with gallstones never develop cancer, but chronic inflammation from stones may increase cancer risk over time.

Ultrasound is often the first imaging test used because it can show tumors and gallbladder abnormalities. CT scans and MRI provide more detailed images and help determine if cancer has spread. Endoscopic ultrasound involves inserting a thin tube with an ultrasound probe to get very close images. PET scans may be used to check for cancer spread throughout the body.

After treatment, you will need regular follow-up visits to monitor for cancer recurrence. This includes physical exams, blood tests, and imaging scans at scheduled intervals. Many people can live normally without a gallbladder, though some need to adjust their diet. Your care team will help you manage any side effects from surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.

Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding obesity may lower your risk. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains supports overall health. Avoiding smoking is important, as tobacco use may increase risk. Regular physical activity and managing conditions like diabetes can also help. If you have gallstones causing symptoms, discuss treatment options with your doctor.

The gallbladder is small and located deep inside your abdomen, making tumors hard to detect during routine exams. Early stage gallbladder cancer rarely causes symptoms, so people do not seek medical care. There are no routine screening tests for gallbladder cancer in the general population. By the time symptoms like pain or jaundice appear, the cancer has often grown or spread beyond the gallbladder.

Not everyone with gallstones needs surgery. If your gallstones cause no symptoms, your doctor may recommend monitoring rather than removal. However, if you have frequent pain, infections, or complications, gallbladder removal may be the best option. Removing a gallbladder with symptomatic gallstones also eliminates the small risk of future gallbladder cancer. Discuss your specific situation with your healthcare provider.