Gallbladder & Bile Ducts Cancer
What is it?
Gallbladder cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that lies just under the liver in your upper abdomen. Its main job is to store bile, which then released into your small bowel through a duct called the common bile duct.
This cancer can arise from within the gallbladder itself or from the bile ducts.
Gallbladder cancer, like most cancer types, is divided into stages, according to how much it has spread out of the gallbladder into the rest of your body.
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Signs & symptoms
Gallbladder cancer is difficult to detect and diagnose early because symptoms may not be present or appear late during the disease.
Signs and symptoms of gallbladder cancer include jaundice (yellowing of your eyes and skin), fever, and pain above the stomach.
These and other signs and symptoms may be caused by gallbladder cancer or by other conditions.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history, then he or she will perform a physical exam. The following tests will be done next:
- Blood tests- to check your liver function and chemistry studies.
- Imaging tests such as CT scan, Ultrasound or MRI
Treatment
There are many types of treatment for patients with gallbladder cancer. The treatment depends on the type of cancer, its stage and your general health:
- Surgery – to remove the cancer, usually in a case of stage 1 (localized) cancer.
- Chemotherapy- medication that will kill cancerous cells or stop their growing.
- Radiation therapy- high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation used to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing.
☝️ This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision.
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Source of Information - We analyze big data of more than 23 million patients de-identified medical records from the following sources:
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