Gallbladder Cancer
What is Cancer of the Gallbladder?
The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that lies just under the liver in the upper
abdomen. The liver produces bile, a product that aids in digestion, and it is stored
in the gallbladder. Cancer of the gallbladder is very uncommon, and occurs as the
result of abnormal cell growth within the gallbladder.
Risk Factors of Gallbladder Cancer
There are few known risk factors for gallbladder cancer. Current research suggests
the following:
- Being a woman.Occurs more frequently in women than in men.
- Gallstones.People who have or have had gallstones seems to be at a higher risk for developing
this disease.
Common Symptoms of Gallbladder Cancer
Often, cancer of the gallbladder is not diagnosed until the gallbladder is removed
for other reasons. It is also hard to diagnose because of the gallbladder’s location
within the body and because many of the symptoms are like that of other diseases of
the gallbladder, such as gallstones or infection. Following are the most common symptoms:
- Pain above the stomach
- Unexplained loss of weight
- Fever
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
These symptoms may be caused by cancer or by other, less serious conditions. If you
are experiencing any of these symptoms, see your doctor.
Diagnosing Gallbladder Cancer
If there are symptoms, your doctor will review your medical history, perform a physical
exam and will probably order x-rays and other tests to find the cause of the symptoms.
Typically, though, cancer cannot be detected except through a biopsy of the gallbladder,
where the surgeon will make a cut in the abdomen to examine the gallbladder and other
nearby organs and tissues.