Gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder cancer
SpecialtyGastroenterology Hepatology Oncology
SymptomsAbdominal pain, Bloating, Fever, Unexplained weight loss, Nausea, Yellowing of the skin, although some people may have no symptoms[1]
ComplicationsCancer spreading to other parts of the body
Usual onsetAbove 65 years old[2]
TypesAdenocarcinoma (most common), Squamous cell carcinoma (more rare)[3]
CausesUnknown[1]
Risk factorsHistory of Gallstones and other Gallbladder diseases
Diagnostic methodBlood tests, medical imaging, examination of the Bile duct
Differential diagnosisOther types of cancer in the Digestive system
TreatmentSurgery, Radiation therapy, Chemotherapy[4]
PrognosisFive-year survival rate ~19% (USA) (January, 2020)[5]
Frequency~3,700 cases per year (USA)[6]
Deaths~2,000 deaths per year (USA)[6]

Gallbladder cancer is a relatively uncommon cancer, with an incidence of fewer than 2 cases per 100,000 people per year in the United States.[7] It is particularly common in central and South America, central and eastern Europe, Japan and northern India; it is also common in certain ethnic groups e.g. Native American Indians and Hispanics.[8] If it is diagnosed early enough, it can be cured by removing the gallbladder, part of the liver and associated lymph nodes. Most often it is found after symptoms such as abdominal pain, jaundice and vomiting occur, and it has spread to other organs such as the liver.

It is a rare cancer that is thought to be related to gallstones building up, which also can lead to calcification of the gallbladder, a condition known as porcelain gallbladder. Porcelain gallbladder is also rare. Some studies indicate that people with porcelain gallbladder have a high risk of developing gallbladder cancer, but other studies question this. The outlook is poor for recovery if the cancer is found after symptoms have started to occur, with a 5-year survival rate of close to 3%.[citation needed]

  1. ^ a b "Gallbladder cancer - Symptoms and causes". Mayo Clinic.
  2. ^ "Risk Factors for Gallbladder Cancer". www.cancer.org.
  3. ^ "Types of gallbladder cancer | Gallbladder cancer | Cancer Research UK".
  4. ^ "Gallbladder cancer - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic". Mayo Clinic.
  5. ^ "Gallbladder Cancer - Statistics". 25 June 2012.
  6. ^ a b Henley, S. Jane; Weir, Hannah K.; Jim, Melissa A.; Watson, Meg; Richardson, Lisa C. (2015). "Gallbladder Cancer Incidence and Mortality, United States 1999–2011". Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. 24 (9): 1319–1326. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-15-0199. PMID 26070529. S2CID 886615.
  7. ^ Henley, S. Jane; Weir, Hannah K.; Jim, Melissa A.; Watson, Meg; Richardson, Lisa C. (2018-09-27). "CDC - Gallbladder Cancer Incidence and Death Rates". Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. 24 (9): 1319–1326. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-15-0199. PMID 26070529. S2CID 886615. Retrieved 2018-12-10.
  8. ^ Kapoor VK, McMichael AJ (2003). "Gallbladder cancer: an 'Indian' disease". Natl Med J India. 16 (4): 209–13. PMID 14606770.