Gall bladder is a pear-shaped, small organ placed on the right side of the rib cage behind the liver. It stores the bile and passes it into the small intestine or the duodenum, to help the body digest the food. Bile is made in the liver, hence in case of gall bladder cancer surgeries, the gall bladder is removed and the liver is allowed to produce the required bile for the body. Some of the causes of gall bladder cancer include excessive exposure to rubber, obesity and smoking. Its symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, fever and jaundice. The diagnosis of gall bladder cancer can be done through an edoscopic ultrasound or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Sometimes CT scan, MRI scans, Laparoscopy and biopsy can also be done. Below we discuss different methods of treatment for gall bladder cancer.

Surgery for Gall Bladder Cancer Treatment

If gall bladder cancer is detected in the early stage then surgery is the first preferred options by most of the oncologists. Different types of surgeries are performed to treat gall bladder cancer. These are discussed below.

• Cholecystectomy: In this method, gall bladder along with some part of the liver, pancreas and the bile duct are removed. The nearby lymph nodes are also removed in some cases. Cholecystectomy can be performed as an open surgery or in a laproscopic manner. In case of laproscopic method, a laproscope is inserted through a cut in the abdomen. This laproscope is attached to a video camera, to track the presence of cancerous cells and what all is to be removed.
• Surgical Biliary Bypass: In this method, the gall bladder or the bile duct is cut and a new way is created to the small intestine, so that the body is able to perform its functions properly. This type of surgery is performed in the cases where the cancerous cells are found to be blocking the small intestine.
• Endoscopic Stent Placement: In this method, the cancer is removed and a stent (a small, thin tube) is placed near the blocked area, to allow the body to drain the bile into the small intestine. This type of surgery is often performed when the cancerous cells block the bile duct.

Radiation Therapy for Gall Bladder Cancer Treatment

Radiation therapy involves the usage of high energy radiations to destroy or shrink the cancerous cells. This method can be given instead of or after surgery to kill the cancerous cells present in the gall bladder. Sometimes, especially in the advanced stages, this therapy is also given to relieve patients from the pain and suffering they undergo. However, there are many side effects of radiation that patients experience.

Chemotherapy for Gall Bladder Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy for the treatment of gall bladder cancer is often given in combination with radiation treatment. It is administered in the form of intravenous injections or oral pills. Some of the commonly prescribed chemotherapy drugs are mitomycin, doxorubicin, capecitabine and cisplatin.

Given above are some methods of treatment for gall bladder cancer. Some other methods of treatment for cancer of this type are still under the hood. Once the research on them is completed, the duration of treatment for gall bladder cancer will not only be quick and easy, but the patients will also get to enjoy a healthy and prolonged life after their cancer treatment is over.

Please Note: The medications / drugs given above should be taken under the supervision of an oncologist only.