Gallbladder Cancer Prevention

It is important to consider, however, that there are several different types of gallbladder cancer, and all are considered carcinomas because they form in the epithelial lining of the gallbladder. Gallbladder adenocarcinoma is the most common among these, making up about 90% of gallbladder carcinomas. In this type, the growth begins in tiny glands within the cells that line the gallbladder.

There are three different types of gallbladder adenocarcinoma: nonpapillary adenocarcinoma (the most common), followed by papillary adenocarcinoma and the even rarer mucinous adenocarcinoma. There are still other, more rare types of gallbladder cancer. These include:

• Adenosquamous carcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Carcinosarcoma

While it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of each patient’s gallbladder cancer, gallbladder cancers are more common in people who have experienced chronic inflammation of the gallbladder. Experts have discovered several risk factors that may increase a person’s chance of developing cancer. Gallbladder cancer risk factors include:

• Gallstones. These small, hard deposits of cholesterol and other substances resemble pebbles and can collect in the gallbladder and cause inflammation and swelling. AS many as 4 out of 5 people with gallbladder cancer have gallstones when they are diagnosed.
• Porcelain gallbladder. This is a condition in which the gallbladder becomes covered in calcium deposits. It can develop after years of repeated gallbladder inflammation.
• Female gender. In the United States, gallbladder cancer is 3 to 4 times more common in women than in men.
• Older age. Gallbladder cancer generally occurs in people who are 65 years of age or older.
• In the United States, gallstones and gallbladder cancer are highest among Mexican and Latin Americans and Native Americans.
• Choledochal cysts. These bile-filled sacs along the bile duct can, over time and if left untreated, develop into gallbladder cancer.
• Family history. While the risk is low, if you have a family history of gallstones or gallbladder cancer, you may be at an increased risk.

These risk factors are not a sure sign that someone will develop gallbladder cancer. Even if a person were to have all of the risk factors mentioned above, it is still an exceedingly rare form of cancer, and they may never be diagnosed with gallbladder cancer.

Diagnosing gallbladder cancer early and accurately is a challenge for oncologists. Gallbladder cancer symptoms, after all, are usually felt only when the cancer has reached an advanced stage. About 1 in 5 gallbladder cancers is found in the early stages, when the cancer has not spread to other areas, while 70% of gallbladder carcinomas are identified postoperatively, meaning they are diagnosed by a pathologist in a lab using a tissue sample collected during surgery.

Outcomes improve dramatically when the disease is caught at an early stage. That’s why our team of hepatobiliary specialists are trained to identify and treat symptoms at their onset. Signs and symptoms of gallbladder cancer may include:

• Abdominal pain and swelling
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Lumps in the belly
• Jaundice — when bile ducts are blocked and cannot drain into the intestines, this build-up of a yellowish substance called bilirubin passes into the bloodstream and can cause yellowing of the eyes and skin

Speak with your doctor if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms. But keep in mind that because gallbladder cancer is rare, these symptoms are more likely to be caused by other conditions.

As with many other cancers, it’s impossible to completely prevent gallbladder cancer. However, there are some lifestyle habits that may help lower your risk. These include:

• Do not smoke. If you do smoke, you should seriously consider quitting.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is commonly found in cases of gallbladder cancer.
• Eat a well-balanced diet. Limit processed foods, red meat and sugary drinks and eat a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Exercise regularly. Aim for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week of moderate exercise.
• Limit alcohol. The American Cancer Society (ACS) strongly recommends people not to drink. If you do drink, the ACS recommends no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men.