Can gallstones turn into cancer?

Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on September 14, 2024
00:00
00:00

If gallstones are not treated promptly, the probability of developing gallbladder cancer is higher than in healthy individuals. Long-term untreated gallstones can irritate the gallbladder, leading to decreased gallbladder function and causing cancerous changes. Chronic thickening of the gallbladder wall can occur from prolonged episodes of gallstones, worsening inflammation, which can lead to more severe inflammation of the gallbladder mucosa and result in cancerous changes. In fact, gallstones are an important factor in the development of gallbladder cancer. However, not all patients with gallbladder cancer have gallstones, but clinically, about 70% of patients with gallbladder cancer have concurrent gallstones. Therefore, even if patients with gallstones do not exhibit symptoms, they should be particularly cautious and undergo regular physical examinations annually to detect problems early and treat them promptly.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
47sec home-news-image

Gallbladder stones and gallbladder polyps differentiation

Gallbladder stones and gallbladder polyps are common diseases in the digestive system and are usually benign. Both gallbladder stones and gallbladder polyps can cause chronic inflammation of the gallbladder, leading to chronic cholecystitis. Some patients may experience acute episodes of pain in the upper right abdomen, leading to an acute cholecystitis attack. Both conditions typically require laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging to confirm diagnosis. Clinically, they are mainly identified through color Doppler ultrasound; gallbladder stones are formed by the deposition of bile salts within the gallbladder, while gallbladder polyps are protrusions growing from the gallbladder wall into the cavity, which can be clearly distinguished by ultrasound.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
57sec home-news-image

Can gallstones turn into cancer?

If gallstones are not treated promptly, the probability of developing gallbladder cancer is higher than in healthy individuals. Long-term untreated gallstones can irritate the gallbladder, leading to decreased gallbladder function and causing cancerous changes. Chronic thickening of the gallbladder wall can occur from prolonged episodes of gallstones, worsening inflammation, which can lead to more severe inflammation of the gallbladder mucosa and result in cancerous changes. In fact, gallstones are an important factor in the development of gallbladder cancer. However, not all patients with gallbladder cancer have gallstones, but clinically, about 70% of patients with gallbladder cancer have concurrent gallstones. Therefore, even if patients with gallstones do not exhibit symptoms, they should be particularly cautious and undergo regular physical examinations annually to detect problems early and treat them promptly.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
45sec home-news-image

What should I do if gallstones cause my complexion to turn yellow?

If a patient with gallstones presents with yellowing of the skin, jaundice has occurred. When jaundice appears, it is often a secondary obstructive jaundice. In such cases, the patient will display symptoms such as lighter stool color, darker urine color, and yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes due to jaundice. Therefore, at this point, the only treatment for the patient is surgery, which typically involves laparoscopic cholecystectomy. By removing the gallbladder, a definitive cure can often be achieved. In severe cases, some cholesterol-lowering medications may be used for symptomatic treatment, but generally, symptoms can be alleviated after surgical removal.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
1min 1sec home-news-image

How should gallstones be treated?

For the treatment of gallstones, the decision mainly depends on whether there are symptoms and the size of the stones. Patients with small gallstones generally do not exhibit clear symptoms and are often discovered only through ultrasound. They do not require special treatment; regular follow-up ultrasounds to dynamically observe any changes in size are sufficient. In daily diet, it is advised to avoid food high in cholesterol and fats, and to maintain a light diet, which can better control the condition. Patients with large gallstones often experience recurrent upper right abdominal pain and discomfort, which affects their quality of life. Treatment can include the use of antibiotics to manage infections. Once the inflammation is controlled, the condition can be alleviated, but recurrences are common, necessitating eventual surgical removal of the gallstones to achieve a better treatment outcome. Primarily, complete removal of the gallbladder through surgery can potentially cure the condition.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
47sec home-news-image

What should not be eaten with gallstones?

Patients with gallstones should primarily avoid spicy and stimulating foods, such as chili peppers, barbecue, and garlic, to reduce inflammation. They should also avoid foods high in fats and cholesterol, such as animal organs and fatty meats. For patients with gallstones, the diet should mainly consist of light and mild foods, and include plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits to lessen the burden on the gallbladder and reduce the frequency of symptoms. If a patient with gallstones repeatedly experiences discomfort or pain in the upper right abdomen, it is necessary to consider surgical removal of the gallbladder at an early stage. Surgery is the only definitive treatment to improve the quality of life for these patients, and diet still needs to be carefully managed post-surgery.