Gallbladder Cancer – Symptoms, Cause & Treatment | Dr. Anand Prakash
- 23 Nov 2022
- #Gallbladder
- #Medanta Blogs
- #Medanta Hospitals
Gallbladder Cancer - Symptoms, Cause & Treatment | Dr. Anand Prakash
Gallbladder cancer refers to the abnormal growth of the cells inside the gallbladder. It is one of the most common forms of cancer in North India. The cases of patients with this form of cancer are more in the places located in the Indo-Gangetic plain than anywhere else in India. The primary reason for it is that the carcinogen responsible for causing gall bladder cancer is commonly found in this region.
The primary symptom of gall bladder cancer is a continuous and sharp pain in the stomach, especially on the right side. Individuals with this type of cancer do not feel hunger or appetite. They also start losing weight quickly, have jaundice, and back pain, or may feel fatigued.
These symptoms are pretty common in most individuals for other medical conditions. However, it is imperative to see a doctor if these symptoms last for more than three months.
Symptoms of Gallbladder Cancer
The common symptoms of gallbladder cancer include the following:
Causes of Gallbladder Cancer
Gallstones in the bladder constitute the common cause of gallbladder cancer. Gallstones resemble pebbles and they consist of cholesterol. When not diagnosed in time, it causes chronic inflammation at the subsequent stages. This takes the form of gallbladder cancer.
Diagnosis of Gallbladder Cancer
Just like other forms of cancer, some tests help diagnose gallbladder cancer. Your doctor will recommend the following tests for it:
Determination of the state of Gallbladder Cancer
Knowing the current extent of gallbladder cancer is imperative for your doctor to decide the course of action for its treatment. Your doctor will do it immediately if the test results indicate that you have gallbladder cancer.
To know about the extent of your gallbladder cancer, your healthcare professional will use the following tests and procedures:
Depending on the tests and their results, your doctor will come to know about the stage of cancer of the infected gall bladder. Based on the test results, they will attribute the current stage of cancer to one of the four stages. Its early stage is an indicator of the fact that it is localized. Stages 3 and 4 indicate that it has spread to the adjoining organs.
Gallbladder Cancer Treatment
The treatment of gallbladder cancer will depend on its state, your overall health, and your preferences. Your doctor’s primary objective will be to separate the cancerous part. If it is not feasible or possible, they will look for other options.
The common treatment options for gallstones in the bladder or gallbladder cancer include the following:
Takeaway
Timely diagnosis of gallbladder cancer is the key to treating it. Normally, individuals who are diagnosed with gallbladder cancer early on have better chances of survival. After the removal of the cancerous part, they can live for several years. However, those who get to the end stage of gall bladder cancer can survive for a maximum lifespan of up to 6 months.
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