Gallbladder cancer is a rare type of cancer that starts in the gallbladder, a small organ located just beneath the liver. Because of its location, cancer in the gallbladder can spread quickly to the liver and surrounding organs.
At UPMC, our specialists take a comprehensive, team-based approach to the management of gallbladder cancer, often using a combination of therapies to manage your condition.
On this page:
What Is Gallbladder Cancer?
Gallbladder cancer is a rare type of cancer in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the gallbladder.
Since the gallbladder is located right beneath the liver, tumors that start in the gallbladder often spread to the liver. Half of all tumors in the liver and biliary passages are tumors arising from the gallbladder.
What are the stages of gallbladder cancer?
Stages of gallbladder cancer include:
- Stage 0 (carcinoma in situ) — Precancerous cells are found in the inner layer of the gallbladder.
- Stage 1 — Cancer cells are found in the muscle wall of the gallbladder.
- Stage 2 — Cancer cells are found in the connective tissue layer of the gallbladder.
- Stage 3 — Cancer cells have reached the outer layer of the gallbladder and spread to nearby organs such as the liver or lymph nodes
- Stage 4 — Cancer cells are found in several lymph nodes outside of the gallbladder, blood vessels, or distant organs.
How common is gallbladder cancer?
Gallbladder cancer is rare. According to the American Cancer Society, about 12,600 new cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S.
What causes gallbladder cancer?
Researchers aren’t sure what causes gallbladder cancer.
Gallbladder cancer risk factors
You may be at higher risk of developing gallbladder cancer if you have:
- Bile duct cysts.
- Calcium deposits in your gallbladder.
- Chronic cholangitis (bile duct inflammation).
- Chronic cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation).
- Gallbladder polyps.
- Gallstones or a history of gallstones.
- Obesity.
Complications of gallbladder cancer
If left untreated, gallbladder cancer can progress rapidly and become life-threatening. Because of the gallbladder’s proximity to other nearby organs, tumors may invade the liver and bile ducts, or metastasize (spread) to other distant parts of the body. Bile duct blockage can lead to digestive problems, causing severe discomfort. Symptoms worsen over time, including abdominal pain, fatigue, jaundice, and weight loss. Without early diagnosis and treatment, survival rates drop significantly.
How can I prevent gallbladder cancer?
There is nothing you can do to prevent gallbladder cancer. However, getting early treatment and follow-up care for a noncancerous gallbladder condition may help reduce your risks.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Gallbladder Cancer?
Many people who have gallbladder cancer have nonspecific symptoms. Some people have symptoms that are similar to those of advanced primary liver cancer.
As a result, gallbladder cancer may not be diagnosed until it is advanced. According to the American Cancer Society, only about one in five gallbladder cancer cases is diagnosed in its early stages, before the cancer has spread to nearby organs.
When gallbladder cancer symptoms are present, they may include:
- Abdominal cramping.
- Abdominal pain (especially in the right upper quadrant).
- Intolerance of fatty foods.
- New onset jaundice (yellowish coloring of the skin or eyes that results from excess bile).
- Unexplained weight loss.
When should I see a doctor about my gallbladder cancer symptoms?
If you have symptoms of gallbladder cancer, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor right away.
How Do You Diagnose Gallbladder Cancer?
Gallbladder cancer is sometimes discovered unexpectedly during gallbladder surgery for gallstones or other conditions. Surgeons may see the cancer during gallbladder surgery, or pathologists may detect the cancer when they biopsy or test the tissue that was removed during surgery.
What to expect during your visit
If your doctor suspects gallbladder cancer, they will:
- Ask about your symptoms and review your health history
- Perform a physical exam.
- Order other tests such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI.
- Order blood tests to check liver function and tumor markers.
Tests to diagnose gallbladder cancer
In addition to a physical exam, your doctor may order imaging and blood tests to evaluate:
- The size of the tumor.
- The tumor's location within the liver.
- The tumor’s proximity to the major hepatic blood vessels of the liver.
- Whether there are signs of cancer spread outside the liver or gallbladder.
Imaging tests
Imaging tests to diagnose gallbladder cancer may include:
- CT scan — A test that uses a series of x-rays to create images of your body's organs, bones, and tissues.
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) — Takes x-ray images of your bile ducts.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — A test that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to pinpoint where the tumor is and help doctors determine the size.
- Ultrasound — Uses sound waves to create images of your organs. Ultrasound procedures can take images from outside your body using a wand called a transducer or inside your body using an endoscope.
Blood tests
Your doctor may order blood tests to:
- Evaluate your general health.
- Look for tumor markers in your blood.
- Measure liver function.
Gallbladder cancer prognosis
Gallbladder cancer is often aggressive and diagnosed late, which makes treatment more challenging. Your prognosis after a gallbladder cancer diagnosis depends on the stage and extent of cancer spread, your overall health, and other factors.
Is gallbladder cancer curable?
Stage 1 gallbladder cancer that has not spread beyond your gallbladder may be curable.
How fast does gallbladder cancer spread?
How fast gallbladder cancer spreads depends on the aggressiveness of the cancer.
Is gallbladder cancer aggressive?
Gallbladder cancer may spread more quickly than other types of cancer and be more aggressive due to the proximity of other organs, such as the liver and bile ducts.
What is the survival rate for gallbladder cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year relative survival rate for people with localized gallbladder cancer that has not spread is 67%. The five-year relative survival rate for gallbladder cancer that has spread to nearby organs is 29%, and to distant organs is 4%.
How Do You Treat Gallbladder Cancer?
UPMC's multidisciplinary team offers several treatment options for people with gallbladder cancer, including:
Surgery (cholecystectomy)
Surgery to remove your gallbladder, called a cholecystectomy, may be a treatment option for early-stage gallbladder cancer. Depending on the extent of your cancer, your surgeon may also remove cancerous lymph nodes.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses precise, highly focused x-ray beams to kill cancer cells. It may be used before surgery to shrink tumors or after surgery to kill remaining cancer cells.
Medical oncology treatments
Your cancer care team may recommend medical oncology treatments, including:
- Chemotherapy — Uses medications to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.
- Targeted therapy — Uses medications that destroy cancer cells with specific gene mutations or other characteristics.
- Immunotherapy — Uses medications that stimulate your immune system to find and destroy cancer cells.
Why Choose UPMC for Gallbladder Cancer Care?
When you choose UPMC for gallbladder cancer care, you will receive:
- Access to board-certified specialists — Our gastrointestinal specialists are experienced in caring for people with gallbladder cancer and related complications. They work closely with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and surgical oncologists to develop a treatment tailored to your needs and goals.
- Expert diagnosis and personalized care — Our team will develop a customized treatment plan to reduce your risk of complications and improve your quality of life.
- A full range of treatment options — We use the latest nonsurgical, minimally invasive, and surgical techniques to provide comprehensive care.
