What is Gall Bladder Cancer?
Gall bladder is a tiny sack underneath the liver which stores the bile produced by the liver. The gall bladder needs to store the bile and release into the small intestine to help the digestion. The cancer in gall bladder is usually detected at quite a later stage since the gall bladder is neatly tucked deep inside the body. There are usually no symptoms as well. Detection of gall bladder cancer is difficult during a routine check up and is usually detected when the gall bladder is removed for a different reason.
What are the symptoms of gall bladder cancer?
In the event that gall bladder cancer does show signs, they would be:
- Jaundice
- Abdominal Pain.
- Fever.
- Lump in the abdomen
- Itch in skin
- Vomiting
- Nausea.
What increases the risk of gall bladder cancer?
- Porcelain gall bladder: The walls of the gall bladder are calcified and start to appear porcelain. This can be a side effect of cholecystitis.
- Polyps: Only a very miniscule percent of these polyps are malignant.
- Gender: Gall Bladder cancer is more prone in men than women.
- Age: Gall bladder cancer is generally seen in people above the age of 65.
- Bile Duct Issues: In the event that there is an issue in the bile duct which does not let the bile flow through smoothly, the bile can get accumulated in the gall bladder causing gall bladder cancer.
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis: Inflammation of bile ducts can cause scarring which can increment the risk of gall bladder cancer.
- Typhoid: Chronic and long term typhoid can increase the risk.
- Family History
How can Gallbladder cancer be diagnosed?
Diagnostic tests to detect gallbladder cancer can include:
- Blood tests.
- Ultrasound.
- CT Scan.
- MRI Scan.
- Magnetic resonance cholangiography.
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.
What is the treatment for Gall Bladder cancer?
Treatment could include
- Surgery to remove gallbladder.
- Radiotherapy.
- Cryoablation.
- Targeted Drug Therapy.
- Immunotherapy.
Can we prevent Gall Bladder cancer?
Gall bladder cancer can be prevented by simple lifestyle changes, such as:
- Healthy Lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a huge necessity in order to prevent many types of cancer.
- Healthy Diet: Incorporating your diet with loads of fruits and vegetables can increase your immunity.
- Exercise well.