Gall­blad­der can­cer

The gallbladder stores the bile produced by the liver. It is important for the digestive processes in the small intestine. If necessary, bile is therefore channelled through the bile duct into the small intestine.

55% of those affected by gallbladder cancer are women, 45% men. Gallbladder cancer occurs almost exclusively in older people: Two thirds of all patients are 70 years or older at the time of diagnosis.

Cancer of the gallbladder or bile ducts often only causes symptoms when the tumour obstructs the outflow of bile into the small intestine. This triggers symptoms similar to those of jaundice:

• Yellowing of the skin and eyeballs
• Dark discolouration of the urine
• Light-coloured stools
• Itching
• Some sufferers experience nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

• Gallstones or inflammation of the gallbladder
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis (inflammation of the bile ducts)
• Polyps in the gallbladder
• Parasites in the bile ducts (e.g. liver flukes, sucking worms)
• Smoking
• Chemicals (nitrosamines)
• Obesity

For diagnosis, the abdominal organs are examined using ultrasound or computer tomography. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) can be used to examine the gallbladder and take tissue samples.

During an ERC, an endoscope is inserted through the small intestine to the point where the bile duct opens. A contrast medium is then injected into the bile duct and an X-ray is taken at the same time. The X-ray image can be used to assess the extent of the tumour in the bile ducts and the gallbladder.

The treatment of gallbladder and bile duct cancer is planned individually. The size and type of tumour as well as the stage of the disease are decisive for the treatment.
The main treatment methods are

• Surgery: If the tumour has not spread too far, it is removed together with parts of the liver.
• Radiotherapy
• Chemotherapy