GALLBLADDER CANCER The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ in the upper abdomen that stores bile to assist in the digestive process. During digestion, the gallbladder releases the bile through the common bile duct to the liver and the small intestine. The bile assists in the digestion of fat. Gallbladder cancer is a rare cancer that happens more often in women and people with gallstones.

SYPTOMS:
The symptoms of gallbladder cancer often mimic those of less serious gallbladder disease such as gallstones or infection.

Symptoms may include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Fever
• Upper abdominal/stomach pain
• Jaundice (yellowing) of the skin

TREATMENT:

Surgery to remove the cancer and usually the entire gallbladder is the first option of treatment for gallbladder cancer. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may also be used in conjunction with surgery in more advanced cases.

As with most cancers, cancer of the gallbladder is more difficult to treat when diagnosed in the later stages.

Patients with advanced gallbladder cancer may be eligible to participate in one of UAB's clinical trials.