Gallbladder cancer

Symptoms of gallbladder cancer

Symptoms

Causes of gallbladder cancer

Causes

Tests and next steps for gallbladder cancer

Diagnosis

Treatment for gallbladder cancer

Medical treatments

Symptoms of gallbladder cancer can include your eyes or skin turning yellow, losing weight, a lump or pain in your tummy and feeling or being sick.

Anyone can get gallbladder cancer. Women, people over 75 and those with other conditions affecting the gallbladder may be more likely to get it.

Gallbladder cancer can be diagnosed using tests such as blood tests, scans, a biopsy or a small operation called a laparoscopy.

Treatment for gallbladder cancer depends on your situation. You may have surgery, chemotherapy, targeted medicines or immunotherapy, and radiotherapy.

Main symptoms of gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder cancer may not have any symptoms, or they might be hard to spot.

Symptoms of gallbladder cancer include:

• the whites of your eyes turning yellow or your skin turning yellow, which may be less obvious on brown or black skin (jaundice) – you may also have itchy skin, darker pee and paler poo than usual
• loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
• a high temperature, or you feel hot, cold or shivery
• a lump in your tummy
• feeling or being sick
• aching pain in the right side of your tummy, sometimes described as a "dragging feeling"
• sharp pain in your tummy
• a very swollen tummy that's not related to when you eat
• not being able to fart or poo – this can be caused by a blockage in your small bowel

If you have another condition like irritable bowel syndrome you may get some of these symptoms regularly.

You might find you get used to them. But it's important to be checked by a GP if your symptoms change, get worse, or do not feel normal for you.

When and where to get medical help

If you have symptoms of gallbladder cancer, it's important to get checked. If it is gallbladder cancer, finding it early may make it easier to treat.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

• the whites of your eyes or your skin turn yellow
• you're being sick for more than 2 days
• you're not able to fart or poo
• you have symptoms of gallbladder cancer that you're worried about, but are not sure where to get help

111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .

Who is more likely to get gallbladder cancer

Anyone can get gallbladder cancer. It's not always clear what causes it.

You might be more likely to get it if you:

• are over the age of 75 – it's most common in people over 85
• are a woman
• have certain medical conditions, such as gallstones, growths (polyps) in your gallbladder, porcelain gallbladder, abnormal bile ducts, long-term swelling of the gallbladder or bile ducts, or diabetes
• have a brother, sister or parent who had gallbladder cancer
• have Latin American or Asian heritage

Many gallbladder cancers are linked to lifestyle.

How to lower your chance of getting gallbladder cancer

You cannot always prevent gallbladder cancer. But making healthy changes can lower your chances of getting it.

Do

• try to lose weight if you're overweight

• try to cut down on alcohol – avoid drinking more than 14 units a week

• try to quit smoking

Tests for gallbladder cancer

You'll need more tests and scans to check for gallbladder cancer if the GP refers you to a specialist.

These tests can include:

• blood tests
• scans, like an ultrasound scan (sometimes from inside your body using an endoscope), CT scan, PET scan, MRI scan, or a type of X-ray called a cholangiography
• collecting a small sample of cells from the gallbladder (called a biopsy) to be checked for cancer
• a small operation to look inside your tummy, called a laparoscopy
• a test called an ERCP – find out more about ERCP from Cancer Research UK

You may not have all these tests.

These tests can also help find problems in other nearby organs, such as your bile ducts, pancreas or liver.

Main treatments for gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder cancer is often treatable, but it can be difficult to treat.

The treatment you have will depend on:

• the size and type of gallbladder cancer you have
• where it is
• if it has spread
• your general health

It may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The specialist care team looking after you will:

• explain the treatments, benefits and side effects
• work with you to create a treatment plan that is best for you
• help you manage any side effects, including changes to your diet to help you digest your food

You'll have regular check-ups during and after any treatments. You may also have tests and scans.

If you have any symptoms or side effects that you're worried about, talk to your specialists. You do not need to wait for your next check-up.