The gallbladder stores bile from the liver and releases it into the small intestine to help break down the fats in the food you eat. In some people, the walls of the gallbladder become thicker, which is a condition known as adenomyomatosis. This results from rapid growth of the cells within the gallbladder walls.
While both cancer and adenomyomatosis involve overgrowth of cells, adenomyomatosis is typically a benign condition. Additionally, most people with the condition do not develop symptoms and may only be diagnosed after undergoing imaging tests for another issue. In this case, doctors will monitor the condition for changes instead of recommending treatment.
When adenomyomatosis is accompanied by symptoms, people often experience nausea, pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen, vomiting, and issues with high-fat foods. In this case, your doctor will probably recommend removal of the gallbladder to treat the issue.
Gallbladder removal, which is known as cholecystectomy, is the only way to treat adenomyomatosis. Fortunately, removal of the gallbladder does not usually lead to long-term issues, as bile can still flow from the liver to the small intestine once the organ has been removed. Doctors also recommend cholecystectomy as a treatment for adenomyomatosis when there are challenges differentiating the condition from gallbladder cancer.