The moment we hear about cancer, we feel anxious and afraid. It’s important to remember that cancer isn’t a battle or a war to win; it’s a complex and unpredictable disease that behaves according to its own set of rules.
While cancer can be daunting and unpredictable, it’s important to understand that it doesn’t define a person or control their entire life. The landscape of cancer treatment is constantly evolving, bringing new advancements and hope.
Today, we will focus on gallbladder cancer, exploring its symptoms, causes, and available treatment options
Dr Amita Jain, Delhi’s top laparoscopic surgeon and gallbladder specialist doctor tells us more about Gallbladder Cancer in this article.
What is Gallbladder Cancer?
Gallbladder Cancer is a very rare type of cancer that originates in the tissues of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located right beneath the liver. It stores bile produced by the liver to aid in the digestion of fat.
This cancer typically starts in the innermost mucosal layer of the gallbladder and can progressively invade the muscle, connective tissue, and outer serosal layers.
Often asymptomatic in its early stages, it may not be detected until advanced, when symptoms like abdominal pain or jaundice appear. Early detection is crucial, as it is often found incidentally during surgery for other conditions.
What are the Types of Gallbladder Cancer?
Depending upon the type of cell where it originated, gallbladder cancer can be classified into several distinct types. Each type arises from different varieties of cells within the gallbladder.
Gallbladder adenocarcinoma: The most common type, comprising 90% of cases, originates in gland-like cells lining the gallbladder.
This is of 3 types:
- Nonpapillary Adenocarcinoma: The most common type, arising from gland cells.
- Papillary Adenocarcinoma: Rare, originating in connective tissues, less likely to spread.
- Mucinous Adenocarcinoma: The rarest type, starting in mucin-producing cells.
Adenosquamous Carcinoma: Combines adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, with higher metastasis risk.
What are the Causes of Gallbladder Cancer?
Gallbladder cancer begins when healthy cells undergo genetic mutations that lead to uncontrolled growth. These mutations, not inherited, result from unknown causes but are influenced by various risk factors.
What are the Risk Factors?
Some of the risk factors are:
- Age: Typically affects individuals over 60 years old.
- Comorbid Conditions: These include abnormalities of the bile ducts and choledochal cysts.
- Family History: Increased risk if a family member has had gallbladder cancer.
- Health History: Gallstones in the past; porcelain gallbladder, choledochal cyst and chronic gallbladder infection.
What about the Symptoms?
Usually, the noticeable symptoms only appear when the cancer has reached an advanced stage.
The most common symptoms are:
- Abdominal pain: Often felt in the upper right part of the belly.
- Nausea and vomiting: Some people experience these symptoms.
- Jaundice: A yellowish tint in the skin and eyes due to bile buildup when the cancer blocks bile ducts.
- Lumps in the belly: Swelling of the gallbladder or liver changes may be detectable by a doctor or imaging tests.
- Loss of appetite and weight loss: Common in some cases.
- Abdominal swelling: Can occur with gallbladder cancer.
- Fever and itchy skin: Less common but possible symptoms.
- Dark urine and light-colored or greasy stools: May also indicate gallbladder cancer.
Note that these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, such as gallstones or hepatitis, making gallbladder cancer rare.
What is the Diagnosis?
Gallbladder cancer is often discovered incidentally during surgery for other conditions or through diagnostic tests prompted by symptoms. Here’s how it’s typically diagnosed and staged:
- Blood Tests: Assess liver function and reveal clues about symptoms.
- Ultrasound: Provides initial images of the gallbladder and liver using sound waves.
- CT Scan: Delivers detailed images of the gallbladder and surrounding organs.
- MRI Scan: Offers more detailed images compared to other tests.
- PTC (Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography): Uses dye and X-rays to identify blockages in bile ducts or liver.
- ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography): Involves a tube with a camera to inject dye into bile ducts and capture X-ray images.
- Biopsy: Involves removing and examining a tumor sample under a microscope to confirm cancer.
Staging determines if and where the cancer has spread, guiding treatment decisions and predicting outcomes.
How about the Treatment?
Treatment Options for Gallbladder Cancer:
For Early-Stage:
- Surgery: Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) or extended cholecystectomy (removal of nearby tissues).
- Radiation Therapy: External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is used to kill or slow cancer cells; it may follow surgery or provide symptom relief.
- Chemotherapy: Drug-based treatment to destroy or inhibit cancer cells, often combined with radiation.
For Advanced Stages:
- Targeted Therapy: Targets specific gene mutations in cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy: Enhances the immune system to attack cancer cells.
- Radiosensitizers: Increases cancer cells’ sensitivity to radiation.
You should never ignore symptoms like persistent abdominal pain or jaundice, as they could indicate gallbladder cancer. Early detection and treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, or targeted therapies, are crucial for improving outcomes. Stay vigilant and consult a doctor if you experience any unusual signs.
Dr Amita Jain is a surgeon with highest degree of professional competence, precision and surgical craftsmanship. Performed all complicated general surgery procedures with in depth knowledge of invasive and few minimal invasive and onco surgical techniques. Underwent special training in trauma, executed various trauma-related complex life-saving neurosurgical procedures, reconstructed injured mangled limbs and performed vascular and reconstructive procedures with critical care.
Dr Amita Jain holds 28 plus years of rich experience in Trauma and General Laparoscopic Surgeries (including Gallbladder stone removal, appendix removal, hernia repair surgery, piles and fissure surgeries). She was the Professor Surgery of at the Army College of Medical Sciences and Base Hospital Delhi Cantt. In 1994 she was commissioned as Surgeon under the United Nations Mission in Congo. From 2020 to 2022, she worked with Bansals Hospital. Currently, Dr Amita Jain is the Senior Consultant, (Speciality: General and Laparoscopic Surgeon) at Artemis Lite Hospital, New Delhi