The gallbladder is a tiny pear-shaped organ located just underneath the liver on the right side of the body. The gallbladder is responsible for storing bile, a digestive fluid made by your liver. Gallbladder cancer is rare. If it is discovered at an early stage, the prognosis for treatment is good. However, most gallbladder cancers are discovered at a late stage, when the prognosis is often very poor and there aren't any specific signs or symptoms.
The signs and symptoms of gallbladder cancer are-
The biggest concern about cancer is metastasis (spread of cancer cells to distant site). To determine the extent of metastasis, certain numbers are assigned. This is known as "staging"; the greater the number, the more the cancer has progressed throughout your body.
The stages of gallbladder cancer are:
Gallbladder cancer is frequently discovered years after it has started since there are hardly any early warning signs or symptoms, and those that do exist resemble other disorders. If the doctor suspects gallbladder cancer, first a thorough examination is done and a complete medical history is documented. Other tests that will be required are-
Lab tests:
Imaging tests: This is done to attain precise images of the gallbladder from different positions to find out the size, position, and damage done by the cancer. Some common imaging tests are:
Other tests: These tests are done to confirm the presence of cancer or anomalous cells in the gallbladder.
The specialists involved in providing the complete treatment or cure are:
1. Surgeon/surgical oncologist: a cancer treatment specialist.
2. Medical oncologists: They help with chemotherapy and other medications.
4. Radiation oncologists: They help with radiation and help manage the spread of cancer.
5. Gastroenterologists: These specialise in the digestive system
To completely cure gallbladder cancer, it must be diagnosed at a very early stage before it has spread to other organs. The treatment commonly depends on the stage of cancer.
Cancer may be treated with:
Some clinical trials are trying new types of treatment.
Gallbladder cancer is a rare and deadly disease. If you notice the symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. While some tumour show symptoms early on, gallbladder cancer may not be visible until it is advanced. It is critical to seek treatment as soon as possible in order to avoid fatalities or debilitating effects on both your physical and mental health.
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