Gallbladder Cancer

When you come to Winship Cancer Institute for gallbladder cancer treatment, you have a multidisciplinary team of hepatobiliary experts dedicated to your well-being. To request an appointment, call (404) 778-0032.

As a patient with gallbladder cancer, your best long-term outcome will be achieved with a comprehensive, coordinated approach that incorporates all available therapies.

Your Winship care team draws on Emory’s vast resources in surgical oncology, radiation therapy and medical oncology, to provide the newest, most effective practices and treatments for gallbladder cancer.

The benefits of our multidisciplinary and highly experienced teams include:

  • Access to doctors and surgeons who rank among the top experts in the world.
  • Weekly review of patient cases by the full team of experts.
  • Coordinated scheduling for appointments among various specialties.
  • Access to support services and programs for you and your caregivers.
  • Availability of new treatment options within our clinical trials program.

Request an Appointment

If you have been diagnosed with gallbladder cancer, we are ready to help you. Call us at (404) 778-0032. Winship experts are available to provide a second opinion.

We understand that this is a very stressful time. We welcome your questions and requests for help. Learn what to expect on your first visit.

Patients with gallbladder cancer may not have any signs or symptoms before they are diagnosed.

Correctly diagnosing and staging the extent of your disease is essential to your treatment.  The stage of your disease indicates how much it has spread in the liver, and whether it has spread to other organs and lymph nodes.  Early stage cancer is disease limited to the gallbladder. Late stage cancer indicates spread to other organs like liver, lung or bone. Determining the stage of your cancer will affect your treatment plan.

Your Winship care team may use one or more tests and procedures to determine the stage of your cancer, including blood tests and imaging tests.

Your individualized treatment plan will take into account the stage of your disease, your overall health, the side effects of the treatment, and relieving gallbladder cancer symptoms.

Your care team will discuss treatment options with you and it is important to take time and consider all possible choices. It is also important to know that your chances for having the best possible outcome are highest in the hands of a medical team that is experienced in treating gallbladder cancer.

One or more of the following types of treatment will be used.

Surgery: Surgery is the main treatment method for gallbladder cancer. The entire gallbladder will be removed in patients with early stage disease. This procedure is called a cholecystectomy. For those with advanced gallbladder cancer, surgery will be performed to remove the gallbladder and a portion of the liver and bile ducts. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be used after surgery.

Chemotherapy: drugs are used to kill or slow the growth of the tumor. Chemotherapy is sometimes used in addition to surgery and radiation. In addition to standard therapies, participating in clinical trials maybe an option in certain cases. Clinical trials provide patients access to new medications that are being developed to treat bile duct cancer.

Radiation therapy: radiation may be used in combination with surgery and chemotherapy. It may also be used when surgery is not an option.

Targeted therapies: Winship’s most promising research in treating gallbladder cancer is in personalized medicine and targeted therapies. In personalized medicine, researchers identify unique characteristics of tumors that make them vulnerable to known drugs so therapy can be tailored to an individual’s cancer. In targeted therapies, investigators look for new drugs that more selectively target cancer cells with fewer side effects.

Supportive Oncology Care

In addition to delivering the highest quality medical care, we recognize the importance of the psychological and emotional aspects of living with a cancer diagnosis and of dealing with treatment. Our supportive oncology team addresses these issues in a timely manner with additional support from counselorsnurse navigatorsdietitians and social service professionals.

Consider talking with your doctor about participating in a clinical trial at Winship. Through these trials, you may have access to treatments that are not widely available.

Cascade Link

Rebecca Arnold LCSW, OSW-C

  • Social Worker
Photo of 
                                 Rebecca Arnold LCSW, OSW-C
Rebecca Arnold LCSW, OSW-C

Rebecca Arnold LCSW, OSW-C

Wendy Baer MD

  • Psychiatric Oncologist
Photo of 
                                 Wendy Baer MD
Wendy Baer MD

Wendy Baer MD

Tiffany Barrett MS, RD, CSO, LD

  • Nutrition Advisor
Photo of 
                                 Tiffany Barrett MS, RD, CSO, LD
Tiffany Barrett MS, RD, CSO, LD

Tiffany Barrett MS, RD, CSO, LD

  • Ms. Barrett leads the nutritional services team at all Winship locations providing personalized nutrition advice to patients who are undergoing cancer treatment.
  • Manager of Winship Dietitians, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
  • (404) 778-5646

Anna Bausum ND

  • Integrative Oncology Specialist
Photo of 
                                 Anna Bausum ND
Anna Bausum ND

Anna Bausum ND

  • Dr. Bausum supports patients with cancer by incorporating a variety of integrative medicine tools alongside patients' conventional oncology care regimens.
  • Integrative Oncology Specialist, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
  • (404) 778-0600

Whitney Bond RD, LD

  • Nutrition Advisor
Photo of 
                                 Whitney Bond RD, LD
Whitney Bond RD, LD

Whitney Bond RD, LD

  • Ms. Bond offers personalized nutrition advice to optimize health throughout the stages of cancer, from diagnosis to survivorship.
  • Registered Dietitian, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
  • (404) 778-1900

Laura Brachman MD

  • Palliative Care Specialist
Photo of 
                                 Laura Brachman MD
Laura Brachman MD

Laura Brachman MD

  • Dr. Brachman provides patients with cancer with relief from their symptoms and helps improve their quality of life throughout their journey.
  • Assistant Medical Director, Outpatient Palliative and Supportive Care, Emory Healthcare
  • (404) 778-6448

Valerie Buckley MS, CSO, RD, LD

  • Nutrition Advisor
Photo of 
                                 Valerie Buckley MS, CSO, RD, LD
Valerie Buckley MS, CSO, RD, LD

Valerie Buckley MS, CSO, RD, LD

  • A Registered Dietitian, Ms. Buckley provides cancer patients who are undergoing treatment at Winship Cancer Institute with personalized nutrition advice.
  • Clinical Dietitian, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
  • (404) 778-0296

Seth J. Concors MD

  • Surgical Oncologist
Photo of 
                                 Seth J. Concors MD
Seth J. Concors MD

Seth J. Concors MD

  • Dr. Concors' primary clinical focus is gastrointestinal surgical oncology, particularly hepatobiliary and peritoneal surface malignancies.
  • Assistant Professor, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine
  • (404) 686-3811

Kimberly A. Curseen MD

  • Supportive Oncologist
Photo of 
                                 Kimberly A. Curseen MD
Kimberly A. Curseen MD

Kimberly A. Curseen MD

  • Board certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, Dr. Curseen is the primary provider for the Supportive Oncology Clinic at Winship.
  • Director, Palliative Medicine Program, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
  • (404) 778-6448

Amir H. Davarpanah MD

  • Radiologist
Photo of 
                                 Amir H. Davarpanah MD
Amir H. Davarpanah MD

Amir H. Davarpanah MD

  • Dr. Davarpanah is a board certified abdominal and cardiothoracic radiologist with a focus on oncologic imaging and cardiac MRI.
  • Associate Professor, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
  • (404) 778-9729

Sunil W. Dutta MD

  • Radiation Oncologist
Photo of 
                                 Sunil W. Dutta MD
Sunil W. Dutta MD

Sunil W. Dutta MD

Frank Eady LMSW

  • Social Worker
Photo of 
                                 Frank Eady LMSW
Frank Eady LMSW

Frank Eady LMSW

Adrien Edoo MTS

  • Spiritual Health Provider
Photo of 
                                 Adrien Edoo MTS
Adrien Edoo MTS

Adrien Edoo MTS

  • Adrien provides spiritual and emotional support for oncology patients and their caregivers.
  • Spiritual Health Clinician and Fellow, Winship Cancer Institute at Emory Midtown
  • (404) 991-8429

Raul S. Gonzalez MD

  • Pathologist
Photo of 
                                 Raul S. Gonzalez MD
Raul S. Gonzalez MD

Raul S. Gonzalez MD

  • Dr. Gonzalez specializes in gastrointestinal pathology.
  • Associate Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
  • (404) 712-5227

Lindsay M. Hannan MD, MSc

  • Medical Oncologist
Photo of 
                                 Lindsay M. Hannan MD, MSc
Lindsay M. Hannan MD, MSc

Lindsay M. Hannan MD, MSc

  • Dr. Hannan specializes in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers including hepatobiliary malignancies.
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine
  • (404) 778-0032

Lisha Sheng Ho MPAS, PA-C

  • Physician Assistant
Photo of 
                                 Lisha Sheng Ho MPAS, PA-C
Lisha Sheng Ho MPAS, PA-C

Lisha Sheng Ho MPAS, PA-C

  • Ms. Ho specializes in the care of patients with gastrointestinal cancers.
  • Physician Assistant, Surgical Oncology/Colorectal Surgery, Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital and Winship Cancer Institute at Emory Midtown
  • (404) 778-3307

Rizza Hohenstern MPS, CSD

  • Spiritual Health Provider
Photo of 
                                 Rizza Hohenstern MPS, CSD
Rizza Hohenstern MPS, CSD

Rizza Hohenstern MPS, CSD

Sandra Karem LCSW

  • Social Services
Photo of 
                                 Sandra Karem LCSW
Sandra Karem LCSW

Sandra Karem LCSW

Rachel Keller MS, RD, CSO, LDN

  • Nutrition Advisor
Photo of 
                                 Rachel Keller MS, RD, CSO, LDN
Rachel Keller MS, RD, CSO, LDN

Rachel Keller MS, RD, CSO, LDN

Ashish Khanna MD

  • Cancer Rehabilitation Specialist
Photo of 
                                 Ashish Khanna MD
Ashish Khanna MD

Ashish Khanna MD

  • Dr. Khanna focuses on the identification and treatment of neuromuscular, musculoskeletal and other issues resulting from cancer and related treatments.
  • Director of Cancer Rehabilitation, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
  • (404) 778-1900

David A. Kooby MD, FACS

  • Surgical Oncologist
Photo of 
                                 David A. Kooby MD, FACS
David A. Kooby MD, FACS

David A. Kooby MD, FACS

  • Dr. Kooby is involved in multicenter clinical research and is an international leader in minimally invasive pancreatic, liver and biliary tract surgery.
  • Professor, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine
  • (404) 778-3307

Alyssa M. Krasinskas MD

  • Pathologist
Photo of 
                                 Alyssa M. Krasinskas MD
Alyssa M. Krasinskas MD

Alyssa M. Krasinskas MD

  • Dr. Krasinskas specializes in gastrointestinal, pancreatobiliary and hepatic pathology.
  • Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
  • (404) 712-4178

Susan K. Kunihiro MD

  • Palliative Care Specialist
Photo of 
                                 Susan K. Kunihiro MD
Susan K. Kunihiro MD

Susan K. Kunihiro MD

  • Dr. Kunihiro works to improve quality of life for patients with cancer, no matter the stage of illness - from initial diagnosis, during treatment, in remission or closer to end of life.
  • Assistant Professor, Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
  • (404) 778-6448

Rupeng Li MD, PhD

  • Pain Management Specialist
Photo of 
                                 Rupeng Li MD, PhD
Rupeng Li MD, PhD

Rupeng Li MD, PhD

  • Dr. Li works with care teams at Winship to treat chronic pain symptoms in patients with cancer.
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine
  • (404) 686-2410

Shishir K. Maithel MD, FACS, FSSO

  • Surgical Oncologist
Photo of 
                                 Shishir K. Maithel  MD, FACS, FSSO
Shishir K. Maithel MD, FACS, FSSO

Shishir K. Maithel MD, FACS, FSSO

  • Dr. Maithel is a board certified surgeon and surgical oncologist with special interest in hepatobiliary malignancies such as liver cancer as well as cancer of the pancreas, stomach, colon, and small intestine.
  • Professor, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine
  • (404) 778-5777

Meredith Maxwell MD

  • Palliative Care Specialist
Photo of 
                                 Meredith Maxwell MD
Meredith Maxwell MD

Meredith Maxwell MD

  • Dr. Maxwell collaborates with the multidisciplinary care team at Winship to help patients address symptoms and improve their quality of life during their journey with cancer.
  • Assistant Professor, Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
  • (404) 778-6448

Joy McCall LCSW, OSW-C

  • Social Worker
Photo of 
                                 Joy  McCall LCSW, OSW-C
Joy McCall LCSW, OSW-C

Joy McCall LCSW, OSW-C

Kendelle Miller MSW, LCSW, ACM-SW

  • Social Worker
Photo of 
                                 Kendelle Miller MSW, LCSW, ACM-SW
Kendelle Miller MSW, LCSW, ACM-SW

Kendelle Miller MSW, LCSW, ACM-SW

Sonal Oza MD

  • Cancer Rehabilitation Specialist
Photo of 
                                 Sonal Oza MD
Sonal Oza MD

Sonal Oza MD

  • Dr. Oza is a board-certified physician in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) with fellowship training in cancer rehabilitation medicine.
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
  • (404) 778-1900

Caroline Peacock DMin, LCSW, MDiv

  • Spiritual Health Provider
Photo of 
                                 Caroline Peacock DMin, LCSW, MDiv
Caroline Peacock DMin, LCSW, MDiv

Caroline Peacock DMin, LCSW, MDiv

  • Dr. Peacock leads the Winship Spiritual Health Team in the work of offering compassionate, inclusive, supportive, evidence based care to patients, families and staff.
  • Director of Spiritual Health, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
  • (404) 778-8029

Beatrice T.B. Preti MD, MMEd

  • Medical Oncologist
Photo of 
                                 Beatrice T.B. Preti MD, MMEd
Beatrice T.B. Preti MD, MMEd

Beatrice T.B. Preti MD, MMEd

M. Yawar J. Qadri MD, PhD

  • Pain Management Specialist
Photo of 
                                 M. Yawar J. Qadri MD, PhD
M. Yawar J. Qadri MD, PhD

M. Yawar J. Qadri MD, PhD

  • A cancer pain management expert, Dr. Qadri collaborates with oncologists at Winship to treat patients with cancer suffering from chronic pain symptoms.
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine
  • (404) 686-2410

Michelle Reid MD, MSc

  • Pathologist
Photo of 
                                 Michelle Reid MD, MSc
Michelle Reid MD, MSc

Michelle Reid MD, MSc

  • Dr. Reid specializes in the pathology of hepatopancreatobiliary malignancies.
  • Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
  • 404) 686-5227

Margaret A. Riso MD

  • Pain Management Specialist
Photo of 
                                 Margaret A. Riso MD
Margaret A. Riso MD

Margaret A. Riso MD

Missy Roberts MDiv

  • Spiritual Health Provider
Photo of 
                                 Missy Roberts MDiv
Missy Roberts MDiv

Missy Roberts MDiv

  • Missy provides spiritual and emotional support for oncology patients and their caregivers.
  • Spiritual Health Clinician and Fellow, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
  • (404) 778-1900

Brian S. Robinson MD, PhD

  • Pathologist
Photo of 
                                 Brian S. Robinson MD, PhD
Brian S. Robinson MD, PhD

Brian S. Robinson MD, PhD

  • A gastrointestinal pathologist, Dr. Robinson's clinical focus is in gastrointestinal and hepatic pathology.
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
  • 404-727-0988

Soumon Rudra MD

  • Radiation Oncologist
Photo of 
                                 Soumon Rudra MD
Soumon Rudra MD

Soumon Rudra MD

Maria C. Russell MD

  • Surgical Oncologist
Photo of 
                                 Maria C. Russell MD
Maria C. Russell MD

Maria C. Russell MD

  • A surgical expert in the care of complex gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary malignancies, Dr. Russell as Chief Quality Officer collaborates with Winship leadership on tracking and improving patient services and satisfaction as well as focusing on cancer outcomes.
  • Chief Quality Officer, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
  • (404) 686-1001

Juan M. Sarmiento MD, FACS

  • Surgeon
Photo of 
                                 Juan M. Sarmiento MD, FACS
Juan M. Sarmiento MD, FACS

Juan M. Sarmiento MD, FACS

  • Dr. Sarmiento, an expert in liver, biliary tract and pancreas surgery, is one of only a handful of surgeons with a commitment to hepatopancreatic biliary surgery.
  • Director of Hepatopancreatic Biliary Surgery, Emory University Hospital
  • (404) 778-3712

Aarti Sekhar MD

  • Radiologist
Photo of 
                                 Aarti Sekhar MD
Aarti Sekhar MD

Aarti Sekhar MD

  • Dr. Sekhar specializes in image-guided interventions for the treatment of gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers.
  • Professor, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
  • (404) 778-9729

Mihir M. Shah MD

  • Surgical Oncologist
Photo of 
                                 Mihir M. Shah MD
Mihir M. Shah MD

Mihir M. Shah MD

  • A board certified surgeon, Dr. Shah specializes in the surgical management of tumors of the liver, pancreas, biliary tree, stomach, esophagus, bile duct, small bowel and retroperitoneum.
  • Associate Professor, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine
  • (404) 778-3307

Vinita Singh MD, MS

  • Pain Management Specialist
Photo of 
                                 Vinita Singh MD, MS
Vinita Singh MD, MS

Vinita Singh MD, MS

  • Dr. Singh collaborates with oncologists to provide state-of-the-art therapies to cancer patients suffering from pain symptoms.
  • Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine
  • (404) 686-2410

Jesse A. Soodalter MD

  • Palliative Care Specialist
Photo of 
                                 Jesse A. Soodalter MD
Jesse A. Soodalter MD

Jesse A. Soodalter MD

  • A palliative care specialist, Dr. Soodalter provides specialized outpatient medical care with a focus on relief from the symptoms and stress of cancer and other illnesses.
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
  • (404) 778-6448

Alison Sturgill MS, RD, CSO, LD

  • Nutrition Advisor
Photo of 
                                 Alison Sturgill MS, RD, CSO, LD
Alison Sturgill MS, RD, CSO, LD

Alison Sturgill MS, RD, CSO, LD

Karin Van Vlack

  • Spiritual Health Provider
Photo of 
                                 Karin Van Vlack
Karin Van Vlack

Karin Van Vlack

Raymond Walker III MDiv, BCC, CCSH-RC

  • Spiritual Health Provider
Photo of 
                                 Raymond Walker III MDiv, BCC, CCSH-RC
Raymond Walker III MDiv, BCC, CCSH-RC

Raymond Walker III MDiv, BCC, CCSH-RC

  • Raymond provides administrative leadership to the Winship Spiritual Health Team, supporting and assisting in their work of compassionate and inclusive care of patients, staff, and their loved ones.
  • Process Improvement Specialist III, Senior Spiritual Health Clinician, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
  • (404) 778-1900

Pepper Wilson RD, LD, CSO

  • Nutrition Advisor
Photo of 
                                 Pepper Wilson RD, LD, CSO
Pepper Wilson RD, LD, CSO

Pepper Wilson RD, LD, CSO

Melissa Woodstock FNP-C, MSN

  • Nurse Practitioner
Photo of 
                                 Melissa Woodstock FNP-C, MSN
Melissa Woodstock FNP-C, MSN

Melissa Woodstock FNP-C, MSN

  • Ms. Woodstock is a nurse practitioner serving the inpatient population with gastrointestinal cancers and outpatient population in medical oncology at Winship.
  • Family Nurse Practitioner, Department of Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
  • (404) 778-1900

Nan Xiang MD

  • Pain Management Specialist
Photo of 
                                 Nan Xiang MD
Nan Xiang MD

Nan Xiang MD

  • Dr. Xiang specializes in managing chronic pain symptoms for patients with cancer.
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine
  • (404) 686-2410

Ali J. Zarrabi MD

  • Palliative Oncologist
Photo of 
                                 Ali J. Zarrabi MD
Ali J. Zarrabi MD

Ali J. Zarrabi MD

  • Dr. Zarrabi provides physical, emotional, and spiritual care for patients living with serious illness.
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
  • (404) 778-6448

Wei Zheng MD, PhD

  • Pathologist
Photo of 
                                 Wei Zheng MD, PhD
Wei Zheng MD, PhD

Wei Zheng MD, PhD

  • Dr. Zheng specializes in gastrointestinal and hepatic pathology.
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
  • (404) 778-1900
  TOP