Gallbladder Cancer Symptoms

The gallbladder is a small organ under your liver, which is behind your lower ribs on the right side. Gallbladder cancer is rare, and doctors often diagnose it after a patient experiences symptoms. It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of gallbladder cancer so you can see your primary care provider (PCP) and get checked out as soon as possible. The sooner you receive a diagnosis, the better your chances of successful treatment.

Jennifer Wo, MD, a radiation oncologist and program director for the Gastrointestinal Radiation Oncology Program at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, describes different symptoms of gallbladder cancer, when to seek care, and promising new research to advance treatment.

Signs and symptoms of gallbladder cancer

Like other gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, gallbladder cancer symptoms can be vague and hard to recognize. Common signs and symptoms of gallbladder cancer include:

• Abdominal pain or cramping. This is often in the upper right area of your belly.
• Jaundice, where your skin, eyes or gums appear yellow. The cancer may block the bile duct, causing a yellowish chemical in the bile to build up in the blood.
• Lumps in your belly, which you may be able to feel on the right side.
• Nausea and/or throwing up

Less common signs and symptoms of gallbladder cancer include:

• Dark urine
• Feeling full early or losing your appetite
• Food intolerances, especially to fatty foods
• Itching
• Light-colored or greasy stool
• Unexplained weight loss

If you experience any of these symptoms, tell your PCP. They can examine you and order tests for more information to check for cancer.

How does gallbladder cancer develop and spread?

Cancer forms in the gallbladder when cells grow out of control. The cancer cells usually begin inside the gallbladder and spread to the outer layer of tissue as the cancer grows.

The gallbladder is part of the biliary system, which includes your liver and pancreas. The liver makes bile that helps your body digest fat from the food you eat. This bile moves from the liver through the bile duct system, which connects the liver to the gallbladder, pancreas, and small intestine. The gallbladder stores this bile and later releases it into the small intestine. If you have gallbladder cancer, it may spread to other organs and ducts within this system and beyond.

Receiving a gallbladder cancer diagnosis

So what happens if you’re experiencing signs and symptoms of gallbladder cancer? If your doctor suspects cancer, you may get additional tests, including:

• Computed tomography (CT) scan, which captures images with a series of x-rays
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, which uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to take images
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan, which uses a safe radioactive sugar to show the areas of activity through images
• Biopsy, a procedure to get a tissue sample

If your PCP thinks you may have gallbladder cancer, they refer you to an oncologist (cancer doctor) who reviews the tests to help confirm a gallbladder cancer diagnosis and staging. Staging is a process where your doctor determines if and how far the cancer has spread. The stage helps describe how much cancer is in the body and how serious it is.

Your oncologist explores your treatment options with you and brings together a care team of specialists who develop a personalized treatment plan for you. Your gallbladder cancer care team may include:

• Surgeons
• Medical oncologists
• Radiation oncologists
• Interventional radiologists
• Gastroenterologists

What to expect with gallbladder cancer treatment

Your gallbladder cancer treatment plan depends on your overall health, goals, and stage of the cancer. If cancer hasn’t spread beyond the gallbladder, a surgeon may remove it to potentially cure the cancer. Your body doesn’t need the gallbladder to survive.

Treatment for gallbladder cancer may involve:

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Targeted therapy or immunotherapy

Gallbladder cancer research: Clinical trials and advances in treatment

After a gallbladder cancer diagnosis, Dr. Wo encourages patients to consider their treatment options and get a second opinion. Health care centers that are experienced in treating and researching gastrointestinal cancers may have more options for your specific cancer. Clinical trials may give you access to advanced treatments.

“When discussing treatment, don’t feel rushed—ask questions, learn about your options, and consider your goals,” says Dr. Wo. “While gallbladder cancer is serious, there are many reasons to stay hopeful.”