Gall bladder cancer

Gall bladder cancer is a common cancer of biliary system, and is usually diagnosed at advanced stage

Risk factors are

• Large stone in gall bladder
• Porcelain gall bladder (calcification of gall bladder wall)
• Anomalous union of pancreatico-biliary ductal system
• Adenomyomatosis
• Family history of gall bladder cancer

Symptoms of gall bladder cancer are

• Persistent pain in upper abdomen
• Jaundice
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Itching

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis is suspected on ultrasonography, which may show irregular thickening of gall bladder wall, or may show mass lesion.
• CECT abdomen is the better modality for evaluation of suspected gall bladder cancer patients, and give information regarding the resectibility

Treatment

• Surgery offers the best chance of cure, however less than 20 % of cases are operable at time of presentation.
• In unresectable patients, diagnosis is conformed by FNA and microscopy, and chemotherapy can be started, which however has only limited role.
• ERCP and stenting can be done in patients with advanced tumors, for palliation of itching, cholangitis