The gallbladder is a crucial component of the digestive process. Gallbladder cancer occurs when glandular cells within the interior surface of the organ begin to mutate.
Gallbladder cancer has a good prognosis when diagnosed early. However, the lack of early symptoms means the disease is most often diagnosed after it has advanced. Treatment is similar to other forms of cancer, meaning surgery, chemotherapy, and other approaches.
The stage of gallbladder cancer indicates the severity of the condition and whether cancerous cells have spread. Stages include:
Treatments vary according to the severity and stage of gallbladder cancer:
Early Stages
Early on, surgical removal of the gallbladder (and potentially surrounding tissues) can have positive results. Doctors can also recommend chemotherapy and radiation therapy to eliminate cancerous cells and shrink tumours. These treatments are sometimes combined.
Advanced/Later Stages
With advanced cancers that cannot be treated with surgery, tumours that have returned, and cancerous cells that have spread to other areas of the body, doctors will use different approaches. You may be enrolled in a clinical trial if eligible, which can introduce a few distinct treatment options:
Only your medical team can evaluate whether you are suited to a specific clinical trial. In the event of inoperable gallbladder cancer, you may also receive palliative care, which is aimed at increasing comfort and relieving pain related to the condition.