Gallbladder cancer is a cancer that starts in the gallbladder. It is a very rare form of cancer. This form of cancer often remains undetected until the later stages due to the location of the organ and the lack of prominent signs or symptoms.
What is a gallbladder?
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ. It is located just beneath the liver, on the right side of the abdomen. The purpose of the gallbladder is to store bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver. This bile is used by the small intestine to digest food.
Types of gallbladder cancer
Gallbladder cancer occurs when normal, healthy cells within the gallbladder mutate into abnormal cells. There are multiple types of gallbladder cancers, but the following types occur most frequently:
Adenocarcinoma: This type of cancer originates in the glandular cells that line the inner surface of the gallbladder. This is the most common type of gallbladder cancer. This type of cancer accounts for 90% of all gallbladder cases.
Papillary adenocarcinoma: This type of cancer is a form of adenocarcinoma. This is the less aggressive form that does not spread as easily or quickly to other organs like lungs, lymph nodes and so on.
There other types of gallbladder cancers such as squamous cell carcinomas, small cell carcinomas, sarcomas and so on. However, these are much rarer.
Gallbladder cancer symptoms
These are some signs and symptoms that act as an indicator for gallbladder cancer:
What is a gallbladder?
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ. It is located just beneath the liver, on the right side of the abdomen. The purpose of the gallbladder is to store bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver. This bile is used by the small intestine to digest food.
Types of gallbladder cancer
Gallbladder cancer occurs when normal, healthy cells within the gallbladder mutate into abnormal cells. There are multiple types of gallbladder cancers, but the following types occur most frequently:
Adenocarcinoma: This type of cancer originates in the glandular cells that line the inner surface of the gallbladder. This is the most common type of gallbladder cancer. This type of cancer accounts for 90% of all gallbladder cases.
Papillary adenocarcinoma: This type of cancer is a form of adenocarcinoma. This is the less aggressive form that does not spread as easily or quickly to other organs like lungs, lymph nodes and so on.
There other types of gallbladder cancers such as squamous cell carcinomas, small cell carcinomas, sarcomas and so on. However, these are much rarer.
Gallbladder cancer symptoms
These are some signs and symptoms that act as an indicator for gallbladder cancer:
- There is pain in the abdomen. This pain is focused in the upper right portion of the abdomen.
- There is bloating of the abdomen.
- Jaundice, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.
- Itchiness
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained loss of weight
- Nausea
Who’s at Risk?
Cancer shows no bias of age, race or gender. However, individuals within the following categories are more vulnerable to gallbladder cancer:
- Gallbladder Cancer is more common amongst women.
- Older people are more like to be diagnosed with gallbladder cancer.
- Obese individuals are at greater risk of developing gallbladder cancer.
- Prior history of gallbladder problems such as gallstones, porcelain gallbladder, choledochal cyst, and so on can potentially increase the risk of developing gallbladder cancer.