Is gallbladder cancer prone to spreading?

Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on September 08, 2024
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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 Li Hu Chen
Imaging Center
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Can cholecystitis be detected by color ultrasound?

If there is gallbladder cancer, usually an ultrasonography of the liver and gallbladder or the upper abdomen can detect it. Conditions such as gallbladder cancer or liver cancer are often initially discovered and diagnosed through ultrasound. Of course, the final confirmation of diagnosis is usually achieved through pathological examination after surgery. However, in terms of initial diagnosis, it is very common to identify these conditions through ultrasound. Gallbladder cancer typically presents certain characteristic changes, such as obvious thickening of the gallbladder wall, extensive thickening including sclerosis, and significant soft tissue mass growth extending to and adhering to the liver, which are strong indicators of gallbladder cancer. Additionally, a large polyp may be seen inside the gallbladder, and surgical removal at this stage may diagnose early gallbladder cancer.

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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 Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Gallbladder cancer skin itching area

Patients with gallbladder cancer may develop obstructive jaundice as the tumor size increases, which can manifest as yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes, dark urine, and pale stools. Patients may also experience itching and discomfort. For these patients, the treatment effectiveness is generally poor, and gallbladder cancer is a type of malignancy that tends to metastasize and has a very poor prognosis. Once symptoms are prominent, treatment becomes relatively difficult and less effective. It is advisable for gallbladder cancer patients to undergo surgical resection as early as possible to improve their prognosis. However, the onset of gallbladder cancer is often insidious and frequently overlooked.

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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 Shen Jiang Chao
Radiology
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The main manifestations of gallbladder cancer on MRI

Gallbladder cancer is more common in females and is generally believed to be associated with chronic stimulation from chronic cholecystitis and gallstones. On MRI, gallbladder cancer can be categorized into several types based on case classification and growth patterns: first, the infiltrative type; second, the nodular type; third, the mass-forming type; and fourth, the obstructive type. Regardless of the pathological type of gallbladder cancer, the tumor tissue appears as a heterogeneous low signal on T1 and a heterogeneous high signal on T2. After enhancement, the tumor shows heterogeneous enhancement. If there is invasion into the liver, the boundary with liver tissue is unclear. MRI has significant advantages in assessing invasion of adjacent organs and metastasis, and can provide great value for surgery or treatment planning.