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Gallbladder cancer is a rare type of cancer but a serious one that affects the gallbladder, a small organ located beneath the liver. India has a high incidence of gallbladder cancer and contributes to about 10% of the global cases1. It's more prevalent in North, North-East, Central, and Eastern India. The risk of gallbladder cancer is higher in those who have gallbladder stones. If you or someone you know is dealing with gallbladder cancer, then this blog will help you understand this disease and its available treatment options, other than surgery.
Synopsis
About Gallbladder Cancer
The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that lies below the liver and stores bile, which is used for fat digestion by the liver. Gallbladder cancer starts in the tissues of the bladder and grows outward when the cells start growing uncontrollably. This disease often goes undetected as it shows unnoticeable symptoms and is difficult to diagnose in the early stages. Treating this cancer, when it has spread from the gallbladder to other organs in advanced stages, is challenging.
Symptoms of Gallbladder Cancer
Its symptoms usually go unnoticed and are confusing as they are similar to other conditions like gallstones. Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms:
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Jaundice
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Unexplained weight loss
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Fever
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Abdominal bloating
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Lumps in the abdomen
Risk Factors
The chance of having gallbladder cancer is increased by specific factors. These are:
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Gallstones
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Obesity
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Chronic gallbladder inflammation
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Inflammation in the bile duct
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Ageing
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Smoking
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Family history
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Congenital anomalies
Diagnosis
Gallbladder cancer mostly remains undiagnosed until you visit a doctor for gallstone removal or its treatment. The assessment of nearby organs may also aid in the diagnosis and detection of gallbladder cancer. If your doctor suspects gallbladder cancer, they may perform additional tests to confirm its diagnosis. It includes imaging tests such as abdominal Ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, Endoscopic Ultrasound, and PET scan. Blood tests such as liver function tests, Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) assays, and CA 19-9 assays are conducted to assess liver function and detect specific tumour markers. Additionally, a biopsy of the gallbladder tissue may be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
The treatment options for gallbladder cancer vary based on the type and stage of the disease. Common approaches encompass both surgical (Cholecystectomy) and non-surgical methods. The non-surgical options include Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, Targeted Therapy, Immunotherapy, Radio Sensitizers and palliative care. For early-stage cancer, surgery is generally done to remove the cancer, so that it doesn’t return, while for advanced stages, non-surgical methods are used to alleviate symptoms and extend your life. Consult our medical oncologist in Broadway to find your ideal treatment plan.
Top 5 Non-Surgical Gallbladder Cancer Treatment Options
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Chemotherapy: Drugs are used in this treatment to either kill cancer cells or prevent them from proliferating. It is typically taken orally or intravenously and combined with other therapies.
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Radiation Therapy: This treatment uses high-energy rays generated from a machine outside your body to destroy or target cancer cells. The radiation slows tumour growth by killing cancer cells while preserving healthy cells. It also aids in relieving symptoms.
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Targeted Therapy: This treatment uses drugs or other substances to identify and specifically target cancer cells while minimising damage to normal cells. It is still being studied in clinical trials, particularly in patients whose gallbladder cancer is locally advanced and cannot be removed by surgery. It can be effective in treating certain types of gallbladder cancer that have specific genetic mutations.
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Immunotherapy: In this therapy, the patient's immune system is boosted, restored, or directed to recognise and fight cancer cells. The substances made by the body or in the lab are used as a standalone treatment or in combination with other therapies.
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Radio Sensitizers: It's still under clinical trial studies, and in this treatment, drugs are used to make tumour cells more sensitive to the effects of Radiation Therapy. Radio sensitizers are mostly used in combination with Radiation Therapy for better effects.
Consult our oncology hospital in Kolkata if you need gallbladder tumor surgery.
Conclusion
While surgery remains the primary treatment for gallbladder cancer, non-surgical options can aid in managing the disease, especially in its advanced stages. Being a rare but serious disease, it is often overlooked until it reaches an advanced stage. So, if you or someone you know is facing gallbladder cancer or experiencing its symptoms, schedule a consultation with our multidisciplinary healthcare team at Manipal Hospitals in Broadway, Kolkata, for early detection and to explore the most appropriate treatment options.
FAQ's
The stages of gallbladder cancer are:
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Stage 0: Cancer cells are only in the gallbladder's inner layer
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Stage I: Cancer reaches the mucosal layer and may spread up to the muscle layer
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Stage II: Cancer has spread to the connective tissue layers of the gallbladder
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Stage III: Spread to the liver, nearby organs, outer layer or lymph nodes
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Stage IV: The cancer has spread to more lymph nodes, blood vessels, and other organs
Yes, gallbladder cancer can be cured, but only if it is diagnosed and treated early. Make sure to schedule regular checkups with our team of specialists and get it removed immediately after its detection to avoid it spreading to other parts of the body.
The treatment plan is based on factors such as cancer stage, overall health, and genetic profile. Discuss these options with our oncologist in detail for a precise evaluation and the development of a personalised treatment plan.
Yes, it may cause some common side effects, including nausea, fatigue, hair loss, and decreased blood cell counts. Our healthcare team will monitor and manage these side effects with appropriate medications and therapies.
To schedule an appointment at Manipal Hospitals, contact our Oncology department or visit our website.
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