Gallbladder Cancer – Symptoms and Causes

What is Gallbladder Cancer?

Gallbladder cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in the gallbladder. This small, pear-shaped organ sits below the liver on the right side of the abdomen. The gallbladder stores bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver.

This type of cancer is rare compared to other cancers. When discovered early, treatment can be successful. Unfortunately, gallbladder cancer often goes undetected until it reaches advanced stages. At that point, survival rates decrease significantly.

Several factors make early detection challenging:

• Few or no symptoms in early stages
• Symptoms that mimic common digestive problems
• The gallbladder’s location deep inside the body

When symptoms do appear, they may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Jaundice (yellowing of skin)
• Unexplained weight loss

Regular check-ups with healthcare providers can help identify risk factors.

Signs and Symptoms

Gallbladder cancer often shows no symptoms in its early stages. As the disease progresses, you might notice:

• Pain in the abdomen, particularly in the upper right area
• Swelling or bloating in the stomach area
• A lump that can be felt through the skin
• Unexplained weight loss
• Yellowing of the skin and eye whites (jaundice)

Jaundice typically appears in advanced stages of gallbladder cancer. On darker skin tones, yellowing may be less noticeable but might be visible in the whites of the eyes.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

If you experience any concerning symptoms, especially ongoing pain in your upper right abdomen or unexplained weight loss, schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Early detection can lead to more effective treatment options.

What Causes Gallbladder Cancer

Gallbladder cancer develops when normal gallbladder cells undergo DNA changes. These DNA changes alter the instructions that control cell growth and death. While the exact cause remains unknown, these genetic changes lead to abnormal cell behavior.

In healthy cells, DNA provides specific instructions for growth, multiplication, and death. However, when DNA changes occur in gallbladder cells, they begin to multiply rapidly and don’t die when they should.

This uncontrolled growth leads to an accumulation of cells that may form a tumor.

As the tumor grows, it can:

• Invade nearby healthy tissue
• Destroy normal gallbladder function
• Eventually break away and spread to other body parts (metastasis)

Types of Gallbladder Cancer

Most gallbladder cancers are adenocarcinomas, which start in the glandular cells lining the inner surface of the gallbladder. These cells appear distinctive when examined under a microscope, allowing doctors to identify this specific cancer type.

The cancer’s progression follows a pattern:

1. DNA changes in normal cells
2. Rapid, uncontrolled cell multiplication
3. Tumor formation
4. Potential invasion of surrounding tissues
5. Possible spread to distant organs

Risk Factors

Several factors may raise a person’s chances of developing gallbladder cancer:

• Gender Differences: Women face a higher risk than men. This may be linked to estrogen, which increases gallstone development. People born female typically have higher estrogen levels.
• Age Factor: Risk grows with age, particularly after 65 years. However, this cancer can occur in younger people, including children.
• Gallstone History: Having gallstones now or in the past is the most common risk factor. Larger stones may pose greater risk. While gallstones are common, gallbladder cancer remains rare even among those with stones.
• Other Gallbladder Issues that may increase risk include:
  • Polyps
  • Infections
  • Chronic inflammation (ongoing swelling and irritation)
• Bile Duct Inflammation: People with primary sclerosing cholangitis, which causes inflammation in the ducts draining bile from the gallbladder and liver, face a higher risk.

Currently, medical experts have not identified reliable ways to prevent gallbladder cancer.