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Gallbladder Cancer

Although relatively rare compared to other malignancies of the GI tract such as colorectal cancer (160,000 cases annually in U.S.), gallbladder cancer is still the 5th leading cause of GI malignancies with 5,000 cases annually. Many cases are found incidently at the time of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, one of the most common general surgical procedures performed. In cases where gallbladder cancer is found prior to surgery, radical cholecystectomy is recommended. This includes removal of the gallbladder, partial removal of the liver, and removal of the draining lymph glands.

 
Gallbladder cancer CT scans

When unsuspected cancer is found in the gallbladder wall after simple cholecystectomy, reoperation to resect part of the adjacent liver and the nearby lymph nodes may improve survival. This is especially true when the tumor invades the muscular wall of the gallbladder. When only the mucosa (inner lining) of the gallbladder is involved then no further surgery is required. It is important that patients with gallbladder cancer be evaluated by a surgeon with experience treating this condition, since surgery is the only potentially curative therapy. Chemotherapy has little role with disappointing response rates (< 10%). Radiation therapy may have some benefit in individual cases but remains to be proven in clinical trials.