1. Read the Signs
The signs and symptoms of gallbladder cancer are important to know because, if caught early enough, the disease is completely curable. If you are having pain in your upper right side, or anywhere in your abdomen, be sure to see your doctor. This can be a sign of many conditions, including gallbladder cancer. Other symptoms that may indicate a gallbladder problem are yellowing of the skin or eyes, unintended weight loss or loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms of cancer of the bile duct include itchiness, yellowing of the skin or eyes, brown urine, light colored stools, an enlarged gallbladder and intense itching.
2. Not All Causes Are Known
While the cause of cancer is still unknown in some types, like gallbladder cancer, several things are known. When the instructions the DNA receives to make new cells are disrupted, cancer can develop. Somehow, that code is broken and your cells replicate in a way that produces a malignant tumor. Research reported by the Mayo Clinic says it is possible that the toxins metabolized by the liver may damage the cells in the billiary tract, resulting in cancerous growths.
3. See How It Grows
The cancer usually starts in the inner lining of the billiary tract, starting in the interior cell walls of the gallbladder and bile duct. Gallbladder cancer can then spread quickly through the inner cell wall through to the outer cell wall. It then may spread to nearby lymph nodes, obstructing the bile duct, leading to a condition called jaundice, which means your billirubin levels rise. It can also spread to the liver as well.
4. Increased Risk Factors Abound for Some
The risk factors of gallbladder cancer include being female, having Native American descent, having a history of gallstones, being over 65, having certain bile duct abnormalities and having a history of gallbladder polyps. Some of the things in your environment, such as exposure to certain chemicals, like thorium dioxide, PCBs and dioxin, can increase your risk. Being overweight or having certain parasitic infections can also increase your risk. Discuss these risks with your doctor and make sure you get the testing you need.
5. Treatment Can Be Simple
If the cancer is not too far advanced, treatment of gallbladder cancer can be as simple as removal of the gallbladder and bile duct. This is a fairly simple surgery that can be done laparoscopically in some cases. When the cancer is further advanced, the surgery does not cure the cancer. However, it can help improve quality of life and reduce some of the symptoms related to the condition. Talk to your oncologist about the best treatment option for you.
