General Medical Information

Gallbladder Cancer

Cancer that arises in the gallbladder is uncommon. In patients whose superficial cancer is discovered on pathological examination of tissue after gallbladder removal for other reasons, the disease is often cured without further therapy. Even in patients who present with symptoms, the tumor is rarely diagnosed preoperatively.[1] In such cases, the tumor often cannot be removed completely by surgery and is incurable, although palliative measures may benefit these patients. Cholelithiasis is an associated finding in the majority of cases, but fewer than 1% of patients with cholelithiasis develop this cancer. The most common symptoms caused by gallbladder cancers are jaundice, pain, and fever.

References

1. Chao TC, Greager JA: Primary carcinoma of the gallbladder. J Surg Oncol 46 (4): 215-21, 1991. [PUBMED Abstract]