Cancer is a disease where the body cells multiply uncontrollably and harm different organs. Although it begins in one organ, it can spread to another within a short period of time. The sooner it is detected, the better are the chances of stopping it from affecting the entire body. One of the major reasons it becomes difficult to cure is that same cancer affects different individuals differently.

About Gallbladder Cancer

When a mass of cells starts behaving abnormally inside the gallbladder, it leads to the formation of a tumor. Initially, the tumor is noncancerous, but if they change into cancerous cells, it leads to gallbladder cancer.  Fortunately, various options for gallbladder cancer treatment in India are available.

Symptoms

There may be a few symptoms of gallbladder cancer that have not been mentioned in this lift, as they may be unique to certain patients. In most cases, one or more of the following symptoms will be visible:

• Vomiting or Nausea
• Enlarged Gallbladder
• Abdominal Pain
• Appetite Loss
• Weight Loss
• Severe Itching
• Black Tarry Skin
• Jaundice
• Swollen Abdomen

Other Types of Cancer

To check if cancer has affected a person, a visit to the cancer specialist is absolutely essential. The doctor must be a reputed cancer specialist with several years of experience under his or her belt. He or she will be able to tell the cancer stage and also provide the path to recovery if the cancer is confirmed. An individual may be diagnosed with cancer in any of the following organs, apart from the gallbladder:

• Cervix
• Colon
• Leukemia
• Kidney
• Throat
• Pancreas
• Breast
• Brain
• Liver
• Lung
• Ovary
• Uterus
• Thyroid
• Bladder
• Stomach

Treatment of Gallbladder Cancer

Treatment of this cancer is based upon various factors such as the location of the tumor, its stage, grade, and type. With respect to the gallbladder, chances of cure for cancer here are high if it is detected early.  Various treatment options have been listed below:

• Chemotherapy – Drugs are used to kill or control cancerous cells here, and this is the most common form of treatment for advanced stages of cancer. It is commonly used in cases where cancer is outside the gallbladder and surgery is not possible. Chemotherapy is also suitable for the early stages after surgery, but it causes several side effects in many cases.
• Radiation Therapy – High energy X-Rays are used here to destroy cancerous cells. However, there is a lot of scope for more research in this field. The pain and symptoms with respect to advanced stages of gallbladder cancer can be controlled through this. Radiation may also be used to shrink a tumor in order to remove it easily during surgery.
• Palliative and Supportive Therapy – Symptoms due to advanced cancer are curbed through palliative care. The focus of the therapy mentioned here is to provide good quality of life and comfort through a team at home or at the hospital.
• Surgery – Cutting the abdomen and removing the gallbladder is termed as surgery. This type of surgery is called a cholecystectomy. Cancer’s stage may necessitate an extended cholecystectomy, in which the gallbladder, some of the surrounding organs, and lymph nodes present close by. The cancer surgeon is the one who performs this surgery and is different from the cancer specialist.
• Dendritic Cell Therapy– Dendritic cells are the type of immune cells that are able to boost immune responses in the body. They are able to show antigens on their surfaces to other cells that are part of the immune system. Such cells are able to recognize the cancer cells, process them and then bring these to the attention of the whole immune system. This type of therapy has been observed to be devoid of side effects.

At times, tubes may be placed or bowel bypass operations may be done to relieve individuals from gallbladder blockages. Fluid may even be removed from the abdomen with help from a needle, and this is known as paracentesis.

Ways to Cope With Gallbladder Cancer

It is usually very difficult to cope with the news of a positive cancer diagnosis, especially for people who have never had erratic lifestyles. Patients who have any kind of needs or concerns must inform their healthcare teams as soon as possible. The support team members are the ones who spend the maximum amount of time with patients, and so they must be informed.

The healthcare team comprises of the following groups of people:

• Dieticians who can help with nutrition and diet concerns with respect to cancer
• Social workers who can provide resources and help patients cope with diagnoses
• Palliative care team
• Patient and Family Library

Remember that there is no harm in asking relevant questions to cancer doctors. The well-known phrase Ignorance is bliss isn’t really helpful here.