Gallbladder cancer is a rare but aggressive form of cancer that begins in the gallbladder, a small organ located beneath the liver. The gallbladder stores bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver. Because gallbladder cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages, it is frequently diagnosed at a more advanced stage.
The exact cause of gallbladder cancer is unknown, but several risk factors are associated with its development:
Symptoms Gallbladder cancer often does not cause symptoms until it has progressed. When symptoms do appear, they may include:
Gallbladder cancer is typically diagnosed through a combination of imaging tests, such as ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI, and sometimes a biopsy, where a sample of tissue is taken for analysis. Blood tests may also be used to check liver function and detect cancer markers.
Treatment options depend on the stage of the cancer and may include:
The prognosis for gallbladder cancer depends on the stage at diagnosis. Early-stage gallbladder cancer has a better outlook, but because the disease is often detected late, the overall prognosis is typically poor. Early detection and treatment are key to improving outcomes.