| Cancer of the gall bladder is a very uncommon | | | | Less common subtypes comprise: squamous cell, |
| condition. Gall bladder cancer, also called | | | | signet ring cell, and adenosquamous |
| carcinoma of the gall bladder. The | | | | (adenoacanthoma). Gallbladder cancer symptoms |
| gallbladder is a pear-shaped limb underneath | | | | consist of jaundice and fever. Most gall |
| the liver that collects and stores bile (a | | | | bladder cancers are only revealed when they |
| fluid made by the liver to digest fat). | | | | have reached fairly a late stage. They can |
| Gallbladder cancer starts in the intimate | | | | reason a diversity of symptoms, including |
| layer of tissue and spreads through the outer | | | | sickness and high temperatures, and sudden |
| layers as it cultivates. Gall bladder cancer | | | | pain (which may come and go) in the upper |
| tends to spread to nearby organs and tissues | | | | right-hand side of the abdomen. The abdomen |
| such as the liver or small intestine. It also | | | | is the cavity containing several organs |
| extends through the lymph system to lymph | | | | including the stomach, gall bladder and |
| nodes in the region of the liver (porta | | | | liver. Treatment may also depend on the age |
| hepatis). Gallbladder cancer is most | | | | and general health of the patient and whether |
| frequently seen in older patients, with a | | | | the cancer is causing symptoms. |
| median age at diagnosis of 62-66 years. | | | | |
| | | | Surgery is a common treatment for cancer of |
| It arises more often in women's. Gallbladder | | | | the gallbladder if it has not broadened to |
| cancer is the fifth most common GI cancer in | | | | surrounding tissues. Laparoscopy is |
| the United States. Gall bladder cancer is | | | | frequently used to eliminate the gallbladder |
| very rare affecting only 7,100 people in the | | | | as a treatment for gallstones or chronic |
| United States per year. Gallbladder cancer | | | | irritation of the gallbladder. This operation |
| infrequently produces premature signs and | | | | is called a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. |
| symptoms. When symptoms do seen, they often | | | | Chemotherapy employs drugs to destroy cancer |
| look like those of other, more common, | | | | cells. Radiation therapy utilizes high-energy |
| gallbladder problems such as gallstones or | | | | X-rays to kill cancer cells and minimize |
| infection. The bulk of these cancers are | | | | tumors. Radiation for gallbladder cancer |
| "adenocarcinomas", with subtypes such as | | | | generally comes from a machine outside the |
| papillary, nodular, and tubular, depending on | | | | body (external beam radiation therapy). |
| the appearance of the tumor cells under the | | | | Radiation may be used alone or in addition to |
| microscope. | | | | surgery. |
| | | | |