Gallbladder cancer CT manifestations

Written by Shen Jiang Chao
Radiology
Updated on September 24, 2024
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Gallbladder cancer commonly occurs in females, and its causes may be related to chronic and long-term irritation from cholecystitis and gallstones. On a CT scan, based on the tumor's pathological classification and growth patterns, it can be divided into the following types: The first type is the infiltrative type, which is characterized by irregular thickening of the gallbladder wall, usually greater than 1 cm, with a rough edge, and significant enhancement is seen after contrast enhancement. The second type is the mass-forming type, which presents as a large soft tissue mass filling the gallbladder, also showing significant enhancement after injection of contrast agent. The third type is the nodular type, which presents as either single or multiple nodules that protrude into the gallbladder cavity, appearing papillary or cauliflower-like. The fourth type is the obstructive type, generally a tumor at the neck of the gallbladder, causing obstruction of the common bile duct.

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Written by Li Hu Chen
Imaging Center
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Can gallbladder cancer be detected by ultrasound?

If there is gallbladder cancer, we can detect it by conducting an ultrasound examination, checking the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen, or simply performing an upper abdominal ultrasound. This is because an ultrasound is typically the first choice for examining the hepato-biliary system. Why? Because it's the most convenient and quickest method. Other examinations such as CT scans or MRI often require a prior appointment, especially MRI, which may need booking days in advance. However, ultrasounds are usually done on the same day and the results are immediate, making it the preferred method for examining the liver and gallbladder. Moreover, ultrasound is quite sensitive for gallbladder cancer. It can reveal if the gallbladder wall is particularly thickened, either locally or extensively, which often suggests the presence of gallbladder cancer, or if there is a large mass of soft tissue in the area of the gallbladder fossa, which might also adhere to the surrounding liver, raising suspicions of gallbladder cancer. Additionally, if there are unusually large polyps, particularly those over 1cm or with a notably wide base, gallbladder cancer should also be considered.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Can people with gallbladder cancer eat dragon fruit?

Patients with gallbladder cancer can eat dragon fruit. Dragon fruit is a type of fruit that is rich in vitamins and trace elements, which can be beneficial for recovery. It can help reduce inflammatory irritation and prevent the condition from worsening. Additionally, the diet for patients with gallbladder cancer should be light, primarily consisting of fresh vegetables and fruits. However, spicy and irritating foods should be avoided to reduce inflammation. It is also appropriate to supplement the diet with protein-rich foods, such as eggs, lean meats, and fish, to replenish the proteins needed by the body, enhance the patient's resistance, and facilitate recovery from the illness.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Difference between early-stage and mid-stage gallbladder cancer

For gallbladder cancer, its staging is mainly based on the size of the tumor and whether there are metastases to other parts of the body, including lymph node metastases. In early-stage gallbladder cancer patients, the tumor is generally small and there are no metastases to other parts of the body. At this stage, patients typically do not show specific symptoms. Additionally, for patients with mid-stage gallbladder cancer, they may experience discomfort or dull pain in the upper right abdomen, and may also experience weight loss, possibly even developing cachexia. Therefore, gallbladder cancer patients can undergo surgical removal and a pathological examination can provide a better assessment of the pathological stage, leading to a better treatment plan.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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How long does it take for gallstones to develop into gallbladder cancer?

Gallstones do not necessarily develop into gallbladder cancer. For patients with gallstones, they mainly experience discomfort and pain in the upper right abdomen, especially after overeating or drinking alcohol, when the symptoms suddenly appear. Gallstones do not necessarily cause gallbladder cancer. If symptoms occur, surgery should be performed at this time. Only through surgery can a cure for gallbladder cancer be achieved. It is a common malignant tumor of the gallbladder, mainly caused by repeated inflammatory stimuli or genetic factors. At this time, surgery should be performed to better improve the prognosis of the patient. Early stage gallbladder cancer can be completely removed surgically to achieve a cure.

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Written by Shen Jiang Chao
Radiology
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Can gallbladder cancer be detected by ultrasound?

Gallbladder cancer can also be detected by ultrasound, which is the preferred imaging method for diagnosing hepatobiliary diseases. Ultrasound can detect space-occupying lesions in hepatobiliary diseases early on. It is sensitive enough to detect lesions as small as one centimeter, or even a few millimeters. In the case of space-occupying lesions of the gallbladder, particularly gallbladder cancer, there are no particularly obvious signals on ultrasound. Ultrasound of the gallbladder is merely used as a screening tool, not as a definitive diagnostic method. If gallbladder cancer is suspected, further investigations such as MRI or enhanced CT are generally required, but the final diagnosis still relies on pathology.