How to understand gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder cancer as well as bile duct cancer is cancers of the biliary tract. These cancers are rare forms of cancer. The liver transforms the foods and fluids that you consume that are needed into bile that goes into your gallbladder for storage and the bile duct is the transportation system.

The problem with gallbladder or bile duct cancer is early detection is often out of the question as there are usually no symptoms. In the majority of cases, gallbladder cancer is not even considered or realized until a patient has to have the gallbladder removed due to gallstones. If a person does not have gallstones, this type of cancer is usually detected in the advanced stages.

Signs and symptoms for gallbladder cancer

The symptoms of gallbladder cancer are very similar to other diseases such as infection or gallstones. The list of symptoms include

Abdominal pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen

Nausea can occur when there is a blockage in the bile duct normally a tumor

Vomiting can occur when there is a blockage in the bile duct normally a tumor

Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes known as jaundice due to high blood levels of bilirubin

Weight loss due to tumors in the gallbladder can interfere with the flow of food, which can make individuals lose their appetite or even lose weight

Loss of appetite Tumors in the gallbladder can interfere with the flow of food, which can make individuals lose their appetite or even lose weight.

Signs and symptoms of bile duct cancer

Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes known as jaundice due to high blood levels of bilirubin

Severe itching due to a blockage in the flow of bile that deposits bile salts in the skin.

Gallbladder becomes enlarged due to a blocked bile duct

Urine that is coffee colored due to high blood levels of bilirubin

Light colored bowel movements due to high blood levels of bilirubin

With early detection, the gallbladder or a portion of the bile duct can be removed that has the cancerous cells. If the diagnosis is not discovered until advanced stages, the only treatment available is to aid in improving a person's quality of life and some relieve for the symptoms. There is no cure for gallbladder cancer in the later stages, however, if noted in the early stages it is possible to remove all cancerous cells.