Gallbladder Cancer

Gallbladder cancer is one of the rarest forms of cancer, affecting less than one percent of all cancer patients. It occurs in the gallbladder, a small organ located beneath the liver in the upper right part of the abdomen. The gallbladder stores bile, a digestive fluid secreted by the liver. Gallbladder cancer usually begins in the lining of the gallbladder. It can also spread to nearby organs, such as the liver, pancreas, and intestines. Risk factors for gallbladder cancer include obesity, being female, and having certain inherited conditions, such as familial adenomatous polyposis. The most common symptom of gallbladder cancer is abdominal pain. Pain may be dull and aching, or sharp and stabbing. Other symptoms can include jaundice, nausea, and weight loss. Diagnosis of gallbladder cancer usually involves imaging tests, such as CT scans and ultrasounds, as well as blood tests and biopsies. Treatment for gallbladder cancer may include surgery to remove the gallbladder, chemotherapy, and radiation. The prognosis for gallbladder cancer depends on the stage at which it is discovered. In general, the earlier the diagnosis, the better the prognosis. However, gallbladder cancer is still a difficult disease to treat, and even with early diagnosis, the long-term outlook is often poor.