The difference between gallbladder polyps and gallbladder cancer in ultrasound examinations

Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on September 08, 2024
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For gallbladder polyps, they are a type of benign tumor, so under color ultrasound, benign protrusions can be observed, and there are no adhesions with surrounding tissues, nor is there obvious blood vessel supply. For gallbladder cancer, it is a type of malignant tumor, so at this time, adhesions with surrounding tissues can be observed under color ultrasound, and there is obvious blood vessel supply. Therefore, for patients with gallbladder polyps and gallbladder cancer, their treatment methods are completely different, and attention should be paid. If it is a gallbladder polyp, patients generally do not exhibit obvious symptoms and do not require special management. For gallbladder cancer patients, however, it severely affects their quality of life and lifespan, so attention must be paid, and early surgical removal and treatment must be undertaken to achieve a cure.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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What should I do if gallbladder cancer causes itchy skin?

Gallbladder cancer patients may experience skin itching, as they often develop secondary obstructive jaundice. This can lead to lighter stool color, darker urine color, yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes, and generalized itching. For treatment, surgery should be performed for better therapeutic outcomes. Although medications to reduce jaundice can be used for symptomatic treatment, surgery is generally advocated, especially for early-stage gallbladder cancer patients without significant metastasis, where early surgical removal can significantly improve prognosis. Additionally, since malignant tumors are a consumptive disease, it is advisable for patients to consume a diet high in protein, such as eggs, lean meat, and fish, to supplement the proteins needed by the body and enhance the patient's immunity.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Is gallbladder cancer prone to spreading?

Gallbladder cancer is a type of cancer that is prone to spreading and is of a higher malignancy level. It is difficult to detect in the early stages. Patients with gallbladder cancer may initially present with subtle right upper abdominal pain, which is often overlooked. Therefore, once diagnosed with gallbladder cancer, it generally has reached the mid to late stages. At this time, the patient's pain becomes significant, which is the primary reason for seeking medical attention. Gallbladder cancer progresses rapidly and is prone to metastasize to other locations, such as the liver, leading to liver dysfunction, jaundice, ascites, hypoalbuminemia, and more. Additionally, for gallbladder cancer, the treatment strategy emphasizes early surgical removal to achieve better therapeutic outcomes.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Is jaundice a sign of advanced gallbladder cancer?

If a patient with gallbladder cancer exhibits jaundice, it does not necessarily mean the cancer is in its late stages. As the cancer grows, it may compress the bile duct, leading to obstructive jaundice. This can result in lighter-colored stools, darker urine, and yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes, and even cause itchy skin. Therefore, it is not necessarily indicative of advanced gallbladder cancer. Of course, if a patient with late-stage gallbladder cancer experiences liver metastasis, this might also manifest as yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes throughout the body. At this point, it is necessary to carry out thorough examinations, common tests including abdominal CT scans and ultrasounds, which can better assess the condition. If metastasis is present, even systemic chemotherapy might be required to achieve a better treatment outcome.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Which laboratory index is used to observe gallbladder cancer?

Patients with gallbladder cancer may exhibit significantly elevated tumor markers, particularly carcinoembryonic antigen, although this is not absolute. For gallbladder cancer, its diagnosis is mainly based on clinical symptoms, physical examination, and auxiliary examinations. Early-stage gallbladder cancer generally does not have specific manifestations, but in the late stage, there can be significant right abdominal pain, localized tenderness, and rebound pain. At this time, further examinations such as CT and MRI can provide a clear diagnosis. In the blood system, that is, in blood tests, a significant increase in carcinoembryonic antigen may occur. Patients with gallbladder cancer should undergo surgical treatment as soon as possible.

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Written by Shen Jiang Chao
Radiology
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MRI manifestations of gallbladder cancer

The manifestations of gallbladder cancer on MRI primarily include significant thickening of the gallbladder wall or a mass within the gallbladder. Generally, it appears as low signal on T1-weighted images and high signal on T2-weighted images. After enhancement, the lesion shows obvious enhancement. If the lesion is large, necrosis may occur internally. Since the gallbladder is close to the liver, if abnormal signals are found in the liver, intrahepatic metastasis should be considered, which further confirms the possibility of gallbladder cancer. Additionally, gallbladder cancer can also invade the nearby bile ducts, causing dilation of the bile ducts, as well as local or distant lymph node metastasis.