Gallbladder Cancer :
Biliary cancer begins in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ just below the liver. The function of the gallbladder is to store bile released by the liver. Bile travels from the gallbladder to the liver and small intestine through the bile duct.
Gallbladder cancer is very rare. If Gallbladder Cancer is detected in the early stages, it is easily treated. But most of the gallbladder cancer is known in the last stage, then the treatment is very difficult. Gallbladder cancer is also very difficult to detect, because most of the time there are no symptoms of any kind.
Symptoms of Gallbladder cancer:
It is very difficult to know about gall bladder cancer in the early stages. Because it does not have any specific symptoms and when there are any symptoms, they are normal. Apart from this, the location of the gallbladder is also a factor, which does not seem to be known about it.
Symptoms of gallbladder cancer such as:
pain in the upper abdomen,
dark colored urine,
Jaundice,
fever,
weight loss,
nausea and vomiting,
swelling,
Lump in the stomach – Usually, due to the spread of cancer to the liver, the gall bladder starts increasing and the problem of lump in the stomach starts to arise. Due to this, you may also feel pain in the upper part of the stomach.
Types of Gallbladder cancer:
There are many types of biliary cancer. Which affect the gall bladder in different ways. Types of gall bladder cancer such as:
• Adenocarcinoma :
This is the most common cancer of the gallbladder, which is found in people in 85 out of 100 cases. This type of cancer begins in glandular cells. These glands work to make mucus.
There are three types of adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder:
mucinous adenocarcinoma,
non papillary adenocarcinoma,
papillary adenocarcinoma,
• Squamous cell cancer :
Squamous cell cancer develops in the skin-like cells of the lining of the gallbladder and glands. Its treatment is similar to that of adenocarcinoma. Only 5 percent of biliary cancer cases are squamous cell cancer.
• Adenosquamous cancer :
Adenosquamous carcinoma consists of both glandular and squamous cell types of cancer. It is treated in the same way as adenocarcinoma.
• Small cell cancer :
Small cell cancer is also called oat cell carcinoma. This is because the cancer cells in this type of cancer look like oats.
• Sarcoma :
Cancer that occurs in the muscle layer of the gallbladder is called sarcoma cancer. Sarcoma is a type of cancer that affects the tissues that protect the body. These are commonly called connective tissues. Muscles, blood vessels and nerves are also connective tissue.
• Lymphoma and Melanoma :
These are very rare types of gallbladder cancer. These cannot be cured like other types of cancer when read the need. For example, lymphoma cancer cells can be cured with the help of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Whereas in their treatment, the chances of recovery from surgery are less.
• Neuroendocrine tumors :
Neuroendocrine tumors are a rare type of cancer that develops in hormone-producing tissues. In most cases this happens in the digestive system. The most common type of neuroendocrine tumor is called a carcinoid.
Causes of Gallbladder Cancer:
Some risk factors that increase the chances of developing gallbladder cancer are:
Chronic Gallbladder Inflammation:
Gallbladder inflammation is one of several risk factors for biliary cancer. For example, when someone has gallstones, their gallbladder releases bile slowly. This keeps the cells in the gallbladder exposed to the chemicals in the bile for a longer period of time. This can cause irritation and swelling in the gallbladder.
Porcelain Gallbladder:
Porcelain gallbladder is a condition in which the wall of the gallbladder becomes covered with calcium deposits. This is often due to chronic inflammation of the gallbladder, which causes gallbladder stone. People with this condition have a higher risk of gallbladder cancer, because both conditions can be related to inflammation.
Abnormalities in the bile ducts :
The pancreas releases bile through a duct into the small intestine. This duct joins with the bile duct. Some people have a defect where these ducts meet. This causes the fluid to flow backwards. People with these abnormalities have a higher risk of gallbladder cancer.
In old age:
Gallbladder cancer is mostly seen in older people. It can also happen at a young age. Most people with gallbladder cancer are 65 or older.
obesity :
People suffering from gallbladder cancer are mostly struggling with the problem of overweight. Obesity is also a risk factor for gallstones.
Other possible risk factors:
Some factors that increase the risk of gallbladder cancer such as:
smoking :
exposure to chemicals used in the rubber and textile industries,
exposure to nitrosamines,
gender :
Women are four times more likely to develop gall bladder cancer than men.
Typhoid :
Salmonella is one such bacteria due to which the problem of typhoid develops. A person can become a victim of gall bladder cancer even without showing any symptoms or signs when suffering from infection for a long time.
heredity :
Having a history of biliary cancer in another family member, such as a parent or sibling, also increases the risk.
When should I see a doctor?
If you have any of the symptoms of gallbladder cancer, contact your doctor immediately. However, keep in mind that this list cannot cover all the symptoms as the disease affects different individuals differently. In such a situation, it is a better option to consult your doctor even if you feel any kind of abdominal pain or other discomfort.
Diagnosis of Gallbladder Cancer:
Certain tests are necessary to diagnose gall bladder cancer. Including:
Blood Chemistry:
A blood chemistry test is done to measure the level of certain substances in the blood that may indicate cancer. Apart from this, abdominal ultrasound can be done to detect gallbladder cancer.
Liver Function Test:
Liver function tests measure the levels of certain substances released by the liver, which can indicate whether the liver is affected by gallbladder cancer.
CT scan: A CT scan is a type of X-ray used to take detailed images of organs.
CA 19.9 Test :
The CA 19.9 test measures the level of the tumor marker, CA 19-9, in the blood. This substance is released by both healthy and cancerous cells. High amounts of this substance in the body can be a sign of gallbladder and pancreatic cancer.
MRI :
In MRI, pictures are taken inside the body with the help of magnets, radio waves and computer.
ERCP :
ERCP is an X-ray that takes pictures of the bile ducts. Gallbladder cancer can cause narrowing of these ducts.
Gallbladder Cancer Stages
With the help of cancer stages, the extent of spread of cancer cells is detected. This technique makes it easier to determine whether cancer has spread to organs other than the gallbladder. The stage of cancer you are at is ascertained by your doctor. Along with this, according to the stage, the doctor tells you about the process of your treatment.
Cancer stages are divided with the help of the TNM staging system. In this, from zero to fourth stage of cancer are present. At what stage of cancer the patient is diagnosed depends on the spread of cancer cells and other organs affected.
Stage 0 means that the abnormal cancer cells have not spread beyond the original site. This is commonly called carcinoma. When the tumor has spread and started affecting other organs, then this condition is considered as the fourth stage of cancer.
Gallbladder Cancer Treatment:
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery are used to treat gallbladder cancer. All three may be used in the treatment. It also depends on the age and overall health of the patient. Surgery to remove the gallbladder and its surrounding tissue is called cholecystectomy. The surgeon may also remove the lymph nodes around the gallbladder along with it. It depends on how far the cancer has spread in your body. In the first stage of gallbladder cancer, malignant cells are found around the gallbladder, which can be removed by surgery. In the second, third and last stages of gallbladder cancer, the cancer has spread from the gallbladder to other organs and tissues that cannot be removed by surgery.
Radiation therapy uses high levels of radiation to destroy cancer cells and stop them from growing. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from multiplying. Chemotherapy drugs can be taken by mouth or by injection.
Treatment options according to stages :
In the early stages, the gall bladder is removed with the help of surgery. If cancer cells affect the liver along with the gallbladder to some extent in the early stages, then they are also removed with the help of surgery.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are used in later stages or in severe cases. In some cases both are used. Cancer cells are destroyed with the help of these therapies.
In some severe cases, blockage of the bile ducts increases the risk of complications of gallstone cancer. The blockage caused by cancer cells can be removed with the help of certain procedures. For example, surgeons use stents to reconnect the bile ducts and also to help hold bile.