Gall Bladder Cancer

GALL BLADDER CANCER

Gall bladder cancer is a common cancer of biliary system, and is usually diagnosed at advanced stage.

Risk factors are

  • Large stone in Gall bladder
  • Porcelain Gall bladder (calcification of Gall bladder wall)
  • Anomalous union of pancreatico-biliary ductal system
  • Adenomyomatosis
  • Family history of Gall bladder cancer

Symptoms of Gall bladder cancer are

  • Persistent pain in upper abdomen
  • Jaundice
  • Weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Itching

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is suspected on Ultrasonography, which may show irregular thickening of Gall bladder wall, or may show mass lesion.
CECT abdomen is the better modality for evaluation of suspected Gall bladder cancer patients, and give information regarding the resectibility

Treatment

Surgery offers the best chance of cure, however less than 20 % of cases are operable at the time of presentation.

In unresectable patients, diagnosis is confirmed by FNA and microscopy, and chemotherapy can be started, which however has only limited role.

ERCP and stenting can be done in patients with advanced tumors, for palliation of itching and cholangitis