Gallbladder cancer is rare but it is the most common type of malignancy of the bile tract. A malignancy is an invasive, uncontrolled growth of cells that can spread.


Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

If you are diagnosed with gallbladder cancer, you are in excellent hands at the MPLC. We collaborate closely with the University of Minnesota Cancer Center which is one of only 39 comprehensive cancer centers in the U. S. designated by the National Cancer Institute.

Symptoms
The symptoms of gallbladder cancer are similar to the symptoms of gallstones. These include:

• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pain or discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomen
• Jaundice (a yellow coloring of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by bile building up in the body)
• Itching of the skin

Diagnosing gallbladder cancer
Gallbladder cancer can be difficult to diagnose, requiring the skill of a number of physician specialists. At the Minnesota Pancreas and Liver Center, we bring together a unique team of experts who are known worldwide for their expertise. We also collaborate closely with the University of Minnesota Cancer Center which is one of only 39 comprehensive cancer centers in the U. S. designated by the National Cancer Institute.

During your physical exam, we will ask about your medical history and symptoms. You may have special x-ray exams and a blood test. Gallbladder cancer can be found unexpectedly during surgery to remove gallstones.

Treating gallbladder cancer
The primary treatment for gallbladder cancer is surgery.

• If the tumor is only in the lining of the gallbladder, we will remove the gallbladder (called a cholecystectomy).

• If the tumor is more advanced, you need a radical resection.
  In a radical resection, we remove the gallbladder and lymph nodes in the area, plus part of the liver. The surgery provides a chance for cure and can relieve symptoms caused by blockage of bile flow from the liver to the small bowel (pain, jaundice, itching, loss of appetite).

Removal of the gallbladder should cause few, if any, long-term problems because the digestive system can function normally without it.

Radiation therapy (high doses of radiation to kill the cancer cells) and chemotherapy (anticancer drugs) are not usually used to treat gallbladder cancer because these treatments have not yet been shown to be effective.