Users' questions

What is the medical name for gallbladder cancer?

What is the medical name for gallbladder cancer?

Most gallbladder cancers are a type called adenocarcinoma. Cancer cells in the gallbladder sometimes spread to nearby lymph nodes or organs.

What is Type 3 gallbladder cancer?

In stage IIIB, cancer has formed in the mucosa (innermost layer) of the gallbladder wall and may have spread to the muscle, connective tissue, or serosa and may have also spread to the liver or to one nearby organ or structure (such as the stomach, small intestine, colon, pancreas, or the bile ducts outside the liver).

Is cholangiocarcinoma the same as gallbladder cancer?

Gallbladder cancer is a rare cancer where malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the gallbladder. Biliary tract cancer (also known as cholangiocarcinoma) is cancer that occurs in the bile ducts (tubes that transport bile from the liver).

What is the survival rate of gallbladder cancer?

5-year relative survival rates for gallbladder cancer

SEER stage 5-year relative survival rate
Localized 65%
Regional 28%
Distant 2%
All SEER stages combined 19%

What causes gallbladder cancer?

Gene mutations is another cause of gallbladder cancer. It is often acquired during life rather than being inherited. Researchers have found that acquired changes in the TP53 tumor suppressor gene could play a role in gallbladder cancer. The mutation of genes such as KRAS, BRAF , CDKN2, and HER2 may also cause this disease.

What is the prognosis for gallbladder cancer?

Prognosis for gallbladder cancer is generally found to be poor for patients diagnosed with gallbladder cancer in the final stage. A marked improvement has been found in the overall 5-year survival rates by the advent of gallbladder cancer staging.

What do you need to know about gallbladder cancer?

Your doctor will examine you to look for signs of gallbladder cancer and other health problems. The exam will focus mostly on the abdomen (belly) to check for any lumps, tenderness, or fluid build-up. The skin and the white part of the eyes will be checked for jaundice (a yellowish color).

Is gallbladder cancer deadly?

Gallbladder cancer is often a deadly form of cancer because it is usually asymptomatic for a long time. Thus, by the time it is diagnosed, it has often spread to other parts of the body. One of the reasons for this is because the gallbladder is deep inside the body, making it difficult for physicians to feel it manually.