Gallbladder cancer (patient information): Difference between revisions
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:*[[Jaundice]]: It is a yellowing of the sclera and skin. Normally, [[bilirubin]] is made in the liver and the liver excretes it into [[bile]]. Then bile goes into the intestines and eventually leaving the body in the stool. Once the [[common bile duct]] becomes blocked, bile can't reach the intestines, and the level of bilirubin builds up. If the bile duct is blocked, bilirubin cannot get through to the intestines then stools may become lighter in color. | :*[[Jaundice]]: It is a yellowing of the sclera and skin. Normally, [[bilirubin]] is made in the liver and the liver excretes it into [[bile]]. Then bile goes into the intestines and eventually leaving the body in the stool. Once the [[common bile duct]] becomes blocked, bile can't reach the intestines, and the level of bilirubin builds up. If the bile duct is blocked, bilirubin cannot get through to the intestines then stools may become lighter in color. | ||
:*Abdominal pain: These symptoms are because advanced gallbladder cancer start to compress on other nearby organs. The pain may be constant or it may come and go. | :*Abdominal pain: These symptoms are because advanced gallbladder cancer start to compress on other nearby organs. The pain may be constant or it may come and go. | ||
:*[[Gallbladder]] enlargement or | :*[[Gallbladder]] enlargement or lumps in abdomine: This is because the cancer blocks the bile duct and bile builds up in the gallbladder to enlarge. Sometimes a doctor can feel this enlargement during the [[physical exam]] | ||
:*Digestive problems: Patients with gallbladder cancer are unable to digest fatty foods when cancer blocks the release of the bile into the intestine. This can cause [[nausea]] and [[vomiting]] that tend to be worse after eating. Undigested fat may cause stools pale, bulky, and greasy. | :*Digestive problems: Patients with gallbladder cancer are unable to digest fatty foods when cancer blocks the release of the bile into the intestine. This can cause [[nausea]] and [[vomiting]] that tend to be worse after eating. Undigested fat may cause stools pale, bulky, and greasy. | ||
:*[[Weight loss]] and [[marasmus]], [[poor appetite]]: Unintended or unexpected weight loss is very common in patients with gallbladder cancer. These people also complain of being very tired and having little or no appetite. | :*[[Weight loss]] and [[marasmus]], [[poor appetite]]: Unintended or unexpected weight loss is very common in patients with gallbladder cancer. These people also complain of being very tired and having little or no appetite. | ||
Revision as of 12:44, 20 July 2009
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What is gallbladder cancer
Gallbladder cancer is rare. It is more common in women and Native Americans. Gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ to store bile which is a fluid made by the liver to digest fat. When your stomach and intestines digest food, your gallbladder releases bile through a tube called the common bile duct. Symptoms of gallbladder cancer includes jaundice, abdomial pain and lumps, nausea, vomiting, etc. It is hard to detect early for gallbladder cancer. Possible treatments include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. And prognosis is not good for most gallbladder cancer patients.
How do I know if I have gallbladder cancer and what are the symptoms of gallbladder cancer?
Because the gallbladder is deep inside the body, the doctor cannot see or feel tumors during a routine physical exam. It is hard to find gallbladder cancer early. Sometimes, gallbladder cancers are found unexpectedly after removal of the gallbladder for other reasons, such as gallstones. When the cancer grows larger, people may notice one or more symptoms as the following:
- Jaundice: It is a yellowing of the sclera and skin. Normally, bilirubin is made in the liver and the liver excretes it into bile. Then bile goes into the intestines and eventually leaving the body in the stool. Once the common bile duct becomes blocked, bile can't reach the intestines, and the level of bilirubin builds up. If the bile duct is blocked, bilirubin cannot get through to the intestines then stools may become lighter in color.
- Abdominal pain: These symptoms are because advanced gallbladder cancer start to compress on other nearby organs. The pain may be constant or it may come and go.
- Gallbladder enlargement or lumps in abdomine: This is because the cancer blocks the bile duct and bile builds up in the gallbladder to enlarge. Sometimes a doctor can feel this enlargement during the physical exam
- Digestive problems: Patients with gallbladder cancer are unable to digest fatty foods when cancer blocks the release of the bile into the intestine. This can cause nausea and vomiting that tend to be worse after eating. Undigested fat may cause stools pale, bulky, and greasy.
- Weight loss and marasmus, poor appetite: Unintended or unexpected weight loss is very common in patients with gallbladder cancer. These people also complain of being very tired and having little or no appetite.
Other health problems such as gallstones, hepatitis, and other pancreatic diseases may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell his/her doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.