Gallbladder cancer is a relatively rare but potentially lethal disease that is frequently diagnosed at a late stage. This kind impacts the small, pear-shaped organ found under the liver that holds bile; a fluid that helps in the digestion of fats. Due to the fact that early signs of the disease are either vague or confused with other gastrointestinal disorders, diagnosing gallbladder cancer is challenging. But it has been discovered that there are treatments which can be administered once cancer has been diagnosed and this depends on the type and stage of cancer, the general health of the patient and other factors.

This article will discuss the different treatments of gallbladder cancer to assist the patient and his or her family on what they should expect in the future.

Options for Treating Gallbladder Cancer

1. Surgery

Surgery is one of the initial treatments of gallbladder cancer especially when the cancer is still localized. The aim is to operate to excise the malignant tumour before it metastasises to another part of the body.

Cholecystectomy: This operation entails the complete surgical removal of the gallbladder and is most often recommended if the cancer has not advanced.

Extended cholecystectomy: In the more advanced stages, surgery may also involve partial hepatectomy and the removal of regional lymph nodes in the event that the cancer has begun to metastasize.

Surgery is the only definitive treatment for gallbladder cancer and is only doable if the disease is diagnosed early. Otherwise, if the disease has advanced to the point where the described treatment methods are no longer effective, other treatments may be necessary.

2. Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is the use of high energy rays or particles to kill cancer cells. It can be used in different ways when treating gallbladder cancer:

External beam radiation therapy: This type of radiation is given from outside the body to the gallbladder and the surrounding tissues. It is most commonly utilized after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells or in cases where operation is impossible.

Internal radiation therapy: Sometimes, radioactive substances can be put directly into the body near the tumor for increasing the effectiveness of the treatment.

In advanced stages of gallbladder cancer, radiation therapy can also be used to minimize the signs and symptoms including pain. However, like any treatment, it has its side effects and they include; fatigue, skin irritation and digestive problems.

3. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses one or more drugs to attack cancer cells or stop their growth. It is normally prescribed when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body or when surgery cannot be performed.

Systemic chemotherapy: This treatment is administered intravenously; the drugs reach cancer cells anywhere in the body.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy: In some instances, chemotherapy is given before surgery in order to reduce the size of the tumor and make it easier to excise.

Adjuvant chemotherapy: Chemotherapy may be employed after surgery to eliminate the residual cancer cells and prevent cancer from recurring.

When used with radiation therapy, the effects of chemotherapy are enhanced; however, it is not without side effects including nausea, hair loss and compromised immune system.

4. Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is relatively new as it is based on cancer cells’ genes or proteins. These treatments seeks to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells while at the same time targeting the healthy cells as little as possible.

Immunotherapy: This treatment operates by increasing the body’s ability to identify and destroy cancerous cells. Immunotherapy is still under investigation in gallbladder cancer, but other cancer types have been treated with immunotherapy.

Molecularly targeted therapy: These drugs interfere with the signals that support the growth and survival of cancer cells making the treatment more targeted.

Targeted therapies are less likely to cause side effects than chemotherapy, but they are only effective for specific patients depending on the genes of the cancer.

5. Palliative Care

In case the gallbladder cancer has reached an advanced stage, the recommended treatment is palliative care. Palliative care is the treatment that aims at easing suffering of a patient and enhancing their quality of life in lieu of seeking to treat the disease.

Pain management: This includes the use of drugs and treatment to manage pain and suffering.

Nutritional support: A registered dietitian may assist the patients in managing digestive problems resulting from the cancer or its treatment.

Emotional and psychological support: Psychotherapy and support groups can assist the patient and the family to deal with the emotional aspects of cancer.

Palliative care can be used alongside other treatments including radiation or chemotherapy to address symptoms better.

Cancer of the gallbladder is a tough nut to crack, but it is never too early to learn about the available treatment options. Localized cancer can be cured by surgery, while the locally advanced and metastatic cancers may be treated by radiation, chemotherapy or molecular therapies. Palliative care is beneficial to the patient and can enhance their quality of life if they are in the advanced stage of the disease.

Gem Hospital is the place where our professionals will be always ready to help you and lead you to the way of the treatment process. It is often best to act as soon as possible, so don’t hesitate to do something. Book your  Appointment Today!