While researching complex gastrointestinal cancers in Mumbai, I found that gallbladder cancer presents a particular challenge because its early symptoms can resemble common gallstone or digestive problems. Gall Bladder Cancer Treatment depends heavily on the stage at diagnosis, whether the tumour can be completely removed, and the patient’s overall health. At Cancer Surgery Clinic, Dr. Ganesh Nagarajan specialises in complex gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary cancers and evaluates patients to develop a treatment plan based on the extent of disease.
The gallbladder is a small organ located beneath the liver that stores and concentrates bile. Gallbladder cancer develops when abnormal cells in the gallbladder grow uncontrollably. It can sometimes be detected incidentally after gallbladder removal performed for gallstones, while other patients are diagnosed only after symptoms such as abdominal pain or jaundice develop.
According to the Cancer Surgery Clinic, gallbladder cancer is seen more commonly in women and is associated with factors such as gallstones, gallbladder polyps, an abnormal pancreaticobiliary junction and certain carcinogen exposures. Long-standing inflammation related to gallstones can also be associated with increased risk.
Early diagnosis is particularly important because cancers confined to the gallbladder may be treated with curative-intent surgery. Unfortunately, many cases are detected at a later stage, when treatment becomes more complex.
Gallbladder cancer may not cause specific symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms occur, they can include:
These symptoms can also occur with gallstones and other gastrointestinal conditions. Therefore, experiencing one of them does not mean that a person has cancer. However, persistent, worsening or unexplained symptoms should be medically evaluated.
Accurate staging is an important part of Gall Bladder Cancer Treatment. The diagnostic process may include a physical examination, blood investigations and imaging.
Blood tests can include liver function tests, complete blood count, coagulation testing, renal function assessment and tumour markers such as CA 19-9 and CEA. Imaging may include abdominal ultrasound, a triple-phase CT scan, MRCP and PET-CT, depending on the clinical situation.
Biopsy requirements vary according to the situation. The Cancer Surgery Clinic notes that ultrasound-guided biopsy may be considered when chemotherapy or radiation is planned for gallbladder cancer, whereas a biopsy may not always be necessary before surgery when the disease appears resectable. Patients with obstructive jaundice may require ERCP or PTBD to relieve bile duct obstruction and make subsequent treatment safer.