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    Quick Facts About Gallbladder Cancer

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    Debkanti Chakraborty
    The document provides information about gallbladder cancer including what the gallbladder is, what gallbladder cancer is, common symptoms, stages and grades of gallbladder cancer, treatment options, coping strategies and resources, questions to ask doctors, and other medical terms.

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    Quick Facts About Gallbladder Cancer

    Uploaded by

    Debkanti Chakraborty
    32 views8 pages
    The document provides information about gallbladder cancer including what the gallbladder is, what gallbladder cancer is, common symptoms, stages and grades of gallbladder cancer, treatment options, coping strategies and resources, questions to ask doctors, and other medical terms.

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    The document provides information about gallbladder cancer including what the gallbladder is, what gallbladder cancer is, common symptoms, stages and grades of gallbladder cancer, treatment options, coping strategies and resources, questions to ask doctors, and other medical terms.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as pdf or txt
    32 views8 pages

    Quick Facts About Gallbladder Cancer

    Uploaded by

    Debkanti Chakraborty
    The document provides information about gallbladder cancer including what the gallbladder is, what gallbladder cancer is, common symptoms, stages and grades of gallbladder cancer, treatment options, coping strategies and resources, questions to ask doctors, and other medical terms.

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    Form: D-5137

    Quick Facts About


    Gallbladder Cancer
    What is the gallbladder?
    The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located under right side of
    the liver. The gallbladder concentrates and stores bile, a fluid produced
    in the liver. Bile helps digest fats in food as they pass through the small
    intestine. Although the gallbladder is helpful, most people live normal lives
    after having their gallbladder removed.
    What is gallbladder cancer?
    Gallbladder cancer starts when normal gallbladder cells become abnormal
    and start to grow out of control. This can form a mass of cells called a
    tumour. At first, the cells are precancerous, meaning they are abnormal
    but are not yet cancerous. If the precancerous cells change into cancerous
    or malignant cells, and/or spread to other areas of the body, this is called
    gallbladder cancer.

    The most common type of gallbladder cancer is adenocarcinoma.


    Gallbladder adenocarcinoma is a cancer that starts in cells that line the
    inside of the gallbladder.

    What are the common symptoms of gallbladder cancer?


    • Abdomen pain
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Jaundice (yellow skin)
    • Larger gallbladder
    • Loss of appetite
    • Weight loss
    • Swollen abdomen area
    • Severe itching
    • Black tarry stool

    What does stage mean?


    Once a diagnosis of cancer has been made, the cancer will be given a stage,
    such as:

    • where the cancer is located

    • if or where it has spread

    • if it is affecting other organs in the body (like the liver)

    2
    There are 5 stages for gallbladder cancer:
    Stage 0: There is no sign of cancer in the gallbladder.

    Stage 1: Cancer has formed and the tumour has spread to a layer of tissue
    with blood vessels or to the muscle layer, but not outside of the gallbladder.

    Stage 2: The tumour has spread beyond the muscle layer to the connective
    tissue around the muscle.

    Stage 3: The tumour has spread through the thin layer of cells that cover the
    gallbladder and possibly to the liver, another nearby organ, and/or nearby
    lymph nodes.

    Stage 4: The tumour has spread to a main blood vessel of the liver, 2 or
    more nearby organs or organs further away. The tumour may also have
    spread to nearby lymph nodes.

    What does grade mean?


    Grade is also used to describe the cancer. Grade describes how much the
    tumour looks and acts like normal cells under a microscope. There are
    4 grades (Grade 1 to Grade 4).

    Lower grade cells look and act similar to normal cells. They are slow-growing
    and less likely to spread.

    Higher grade cells look and act abnormally. They grow faster and are more
    likely to spread. The grade of cancer can help predict how quickly the cancer
    might spread.

    3
    How is gallbladder cancer treated?
    Gallbladder cancer treatment depends on many things including the tumour
    type, its location, stage and grade. The following are a few treatment
    options for gallbladder cancer that can also be used separately or together
    with one another:

    1. Surgery: Surgery involves making a cut in the abdomen and removing


    the gallbladder. This surgery is called a cholecystectomy. Depending on
    the cancer’s stage, an extended cholecystctomy may be done, where the
    gallbladder, nearby lymph nodes and some parts of surrounding organs
    may be removed. Surgery is generally helpful in the earlier stages of the
    cancer.

    2. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill or control cancer cells


    and is the most common standard therapy in advanced stages of the
    cancer. It is most often used when surgery cannot be offered because
    the cancer has spread outside of the gallbladder. It is also considered in
    some earlier stage cases after surgery.

    3. Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy is the use of high energy x-rays


    or other particles to kill cancer cells. It can be used for treatment or to
    control the symptoms and pain of advanced cancer. Sometimes doctors
    give radiation to shrink a tumour so it is easier to remove during surgery.

    4. Supportive and Palliative therapy: Palliative therapy is treatment given


    to help control or reduce symptoms caused by advanced cancer. The
    focus of care is on quality of life and comfort and can be offered by a
    team at the hospital or at home.
    Other supportive care considered include procedures to relieve blockage
    in the gallbladder, gallbladder or bowel to ease pain and prevent
    jaundice or bowel blockage. This can be done by either placing a tube
    or, sometimes, a biliary or bowel bypass operation. Other supports can
    include removing fluid from the abdomen with a needle (paracentesis) or
    pain medicines to relieve discomfort.

    4
    Coping with gallbladder cancer
    Coping with the news of a cancer diagnosis can be very difficult. You are not
    alone. If you have any concerns or needs, please tell your health care team.
    They are here to care and support you through this time. Also, as a patient
    here at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, you have access to many
    resources to help you throughout your cancer journey.

    These include:

    • Social workers who can help you better cope with your diagnosis and
    help you access more resources.

    • Registered Dietitians that specialize in cancer and can help you with your
    nutrition and diet concerns.

    • The Patient & Family Library (on the main floor), where you have access
    to a wide range of resources (like books, Ebooks, audiobooks, DVDs), and
    you can ask a librarian to search for specific health information about the
    gallbladder.

    • ELLICSR: the Health, Wellness & Cancer Survivorship Centre, where


    patients and their families can find information on health and wellness,
    speak with healthcare professionals, meet other patients, and take part
    in health and wellness programs like gentle exercise and cooking classes.
    ELLICSR is located in the basement of the Peter Munk Building in the
    Toronto General Hospital.

    • The Palliative Care team who can provide the care, comfort and support
    needed for those with advanced cancer.

    For more information about these supports or other services available to you,
    please ask a member of your health care team (such as your doctor or nurse).

    5
    Questions to ask your doctor
    Speaking to your health care team is important in helping you make
    decisions about your health care. Sometimes preparing a list of questions
    you want to ask can be helpful. Here is a list of common questions that will
    be covered in your consultation.

    You may want to ask your team these or other questions if anything is
    missed or you need more information:

    Here is a list of common questions you may want to ask


    your doctor:

    1. Can you explain my pathology report (test results) to me?

    2. What stage is my gallbladder cancer?

    3. What grade is my gallbladder cancer?

    4. Can you explain my treatment options?

    5. What clinical trials are open to me?

    6. How will this treatment benefit me?

    7. What is the expected timeline for my treatment plan?

    8. How will this treatment affect my daily life?

    9. Will I be able to work, exercise or do my usual daily activities?

    10. What are the possible long-term side effects of my cancer treatment?

    11. Where can I find emotional support for me and my family?

    12. Who do I call if I have questions or a problem?

    13. Is there anything else I should know?

    6
    Other medical terms to know
    • Benign: A tumour that is not cancerous.

    • Bile duct: The tubes that drain the liver into the small bowel.

    • Biopsy: The removal of a small cell sample that is used to check for
    cancer under a microscope.

    • Dysplasia: An abnormal growth of precancerous cells.

    • Duodenum: The upper portion of the small intestine.

    • Gallbladder: A small, pear-shaped organ located under the liver. This


    organ concentrates and stores bile (a fluid that helps digestion).

    • Liver: An organ located under your lungs and diaphragm (muscles that
    helps move your lungs). The liver collects and filters blood from the
    intestines, removing the waste form the body. It also stores energy and
    makes protein.

    • Lymph node: A tiny, bean-shaped organ that is found throughout your


    body. They are an important part of your immune system, and help your
    body recognize and fight infection.

    • Malignant: A tumour that is cancerous.

    • Metastasis: The spread of cancer from where the cancer began to


    another part of the body.

    • Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in treating people with cancer.

    • Prognosis: Chance of recovery.

    • Radiation Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in treating cancer using


    radiation therapy (high energy x-rays).

    • Surgical Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in treating cancer using


    surgery.

    • Tumour: A mass of cells that needs a biopsy or removal.

    7
    Have feedback about this document?
    Please fill out our survey. Use this link: bit.ly/uhn-pe

    Visit www.uhnpatienteducation.ca for more health information. Contact pfep@uhn.ca to request


    this brochure in a different format, such as large print or electronic formats.

    The development of patient education resources is supported by the Princess Margaret Cancer
    Foundation.
    © 2021 University Health Network. All rights reserved. Use this material for your information only. It does not replace advice from your
    doctor or other health care professional. Do not use this information for diagnosis or treatment. Ask your health care provider for advice
    about a specific medical condition. You may print 1 copy of this brochure for non-commercial and personal use only.

    Form: D-5137  |  Author: Gastrointestinal Oncology Team  |  Revised: 02/2021

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