Gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder cancer is a rare type of cancer that begins in the gallbladder, a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of the abdomen, beneath the liver. The gallbladder stores bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver.

Symptoms

Gallbladder cancer is difficult to diagnose because it often causes no specific signs or symptoms. Also, the relatively hidden nature of the gallbladder makes it easier for gallbladder cancer to grow without being detected.

When gallbladder cancer symptoms do occur, they may include:

• Jaundice
• Abdominal pain, particularly in the upper right portion of the abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bloating
• Fever

Causes

It's not clear what causes gallbladder cancer. Doctors know that gallbladder cancer forms when healthy gallbladder cells develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. These mutations cause cells to grow out of control and to continue living when other cells would normally die. The accumulating cells form a tumor that can grow beyond the gallbladder and spread to other areas of the body.

Risk factors

Factors that can increase the risk of gallbladder cancer include:

• Your age
• A history of gallstones
• Your sex
• Smoking
• Your weight

Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose gallbladder cancer include:

• Blood tests
• Procedures to create pictures of the gallbladder
• Exploratory surgery

Treatment

Treatment options for gallbladder cancer include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

See also

• Cancer
• Gallstones
• Jaundice

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