Gallbladder cancer, also known as gallbladder carcinoma, is a potentially life-threatening medical problem that warrrants immediate attention. According to the Mayo Clinic, gallbladder cancer is rare and challenging to diagnose because it frequently strikes without warning. You may experience stomach pain, itchiness, fever, a poor appetite, unintentional weight loss and yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).
Surgery
The National Cancer Institute says your doctor can remove your cancerous gallbladder. This surgical procedure is called a cholecystectomy. In this surgery, your surgeon makes three to five incisions in your stomach and inserts laparoscopic (camera and clippers) tools to view your gallbladder on a monitor. He can then clip the gallbladder and pull it out through one of your stomach incisions.
A surgical biliary bypass, endoscopic stent placement and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage are other types of surgical procedures done to manage gallbladder cancer. In a surgical biliary bypass, the surgeon cuts your bile duct or gallbladder and attaches it to your small intestine. This procedure is performed when bile accumulates in your gallbladder or there's a tumor in your small intestine, says the National Cancer Institute. An endoscopic stent placement involves placing a tube into your body so that bile can drain into your small intestine or outside your body. Like endoscopic stent placement, percutaneous biliary drainage involves inserting a stent via ultrasound guidance to help drain the bile into your small intestine or into your bile.
Chemotherapy and Radiation
Gallbladder cancer can also be treated with chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments are especially indicated in late-stage gallbladder cancer. Chemotherapy generally involves using certain drugs to destroy cancer cells. These drugs can be given intravenously (through your vein) or as a tablet. Radiation refers to high-energy X-rays that work to damage gallbladder cancer cells. Both treatments can cause fatigue. However, chemotherapy tends to cause more destruction; it can lead to hair loss, vomiting and nausea.
Other Treatments
The National Cancer Institute says you may take radiosensitizers medications to help treat gallbladder cancer. Radiosensitizers refer to drugs that make your gallbladder cancer cells more susceptible to radiation. In fact, the combination of radiation and radiosensitizers can lead to increased gallbladder cancer cell destruction. Clinical trials are also being performed to test the efficacy of new medications. You have the option to enroll in these trials. However, you should know that they don't guarantee a cure and aren't yet approved under the umbrella of the Food and Drug Administration.
