The gallbladder is a sac-shaped organ located between the liver and duodenum, which is intended for the concentration of constantly produced bile. Cancer damage of this organ is rare, but it is found that in most cases this diagnosis is made for older women.
Causes of gallbladder cancer
There is no exact data on why a cancerous tumor is born in this organ. It is believed that predisposing factors to the development of the disease are:
- presence of concrements in the gallbladder;
- chronic inflammation of the gallbladder tissue;
- genetic predisposition.
Also, the appearance of gallbladder cancer can contribute to production hazards, the presence of cyst in the bile duct, unhealthy nutrition, etc.
Symptoms of gallbladder cancer at all stages
The origin of the tumor begins in the inner layer of the organ wall - the mucosa. Then the tumor begins to spread to neighboring tissues, spread to other organs - the liver, peritoneum, etc. In connection with this, four stages of the disease are distinguished:
- Stage 1 - damage to the mucous membrane and the muscular tissue of the organ;
- Stage 2 - attachment to the lesion of the serous membrane;
- Stage 3 - the tumor affects all layers of the gallbladder tissue, as well as the lymph nodes ;
- Stage 4 - the presence of metastases of other organs.
Unfortunately, it is very rare to identify gall bladder cancer in the early stages, only in a random way during visualization methods of abdominal cavity diagnostics. This is because the clinical signs of the disease are not specific and similar to manifestations of other pathologies of the digestive system. Thus, patients can observe:
- abdominal pain;
- nausea;
- stool disorders;
- vomiting;
- lack of appetite.
Also sometimes there is a fever, yellowing of the skin and sclera. Caution should be a reduction in body weight, a constant sense of fatigue, not passing a general weakness. In later stages, the tumor can feel touch in the region of the right hypochondrium.
Treatment and prognosis for gallbladder cancer
The method of treatment in this case is selected after thorough research. The most effective and often used method of treatment is the removal of the gallbladder along with the lymphatic vessels. In the early stages of surgery, not the entire organ can be removed, but only
In later stages, the operation is combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy . However, in advanced cases, the tumor may be inoperable. The prognosis for cancer of the gallbladder of stage 4 is disappointing, as a rule, the life expectancy is no more than six months (as in bile duct cancer of a similar stage). It is worth noting that it is impossible to cure gallbladder cancer with folk recipes.