The short answer
Gallbladder cancer is an uncommon cancer of the small organ that stores bile under the liver. Early symptoms are vague or absent, so it is often found late, sometimes by chance during gallbladder surgery for stones. Treatment can include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation depending on the stage.
Gallbladder cancer is uncommon and often found late.
Early symptoms are vague, so it can be silent at first.
Gallstones and gallbladder inflammation are linked to higher risk.
It is sometimes found by chance during surgery for gallstones.
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The full explanation.
What gallbladder cancer is
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ under the liver that stores bile, a fluid that helps digest fat. Gallbladder cancer starts in this organ and is uncommon. Because the gallbladder sits deep in the body and early cancer causes few symptoms, it can grow before being noticed.
Symptoms
Early gallbladder cancer often causes no symptoms or vague ones. As it advances, it can cause belly pain (often upper right), nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, or yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) if it blocks bile flow. These symptoms have many non-cancer causes, but persistent ones should be checked.
Risk factors
Gallstones and long-term gallbladder inflammation are the most common associations, though the vast majority of people with gallstones never develop cancer. Other factors include certain gallbladder conditions and, in some regions, chronic infections. Risk rises with age and is somewhat higher in women.
Diagnosis and treatment
Gallbladder cancer is sometimes discovered unexpectedly when the gallbladder is removed for stones and examined afterward. Otherwise, diagnosis involves imaging and biopsy. Treatment depends heavily on the stage and may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Care at a center experienced with these cancers is valuable, and clinical trials may be an option.
Words to know
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Common questions
▸Why is gallbladder cancer often found late?
Because early gallbladder cancer causes few or vague symptoms, and the organ sits deep in the body, so cancer can grow before being noticed.
▸What are the symptoms?
Often none early on; later, belly pain, nausea, weight loss, or jaundice. These have many non-cancer causes, but persistent symptoms should be checked.
▸Do gallstones cause it?
Gallstones and chronic inflammation are linked to higher risk, but the vast majority of people with gallstones never develop gallbladder cancer.
▸How is it treated?
Depending on the stage, treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, ideally at an experienced center.
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