Which laboratory index is used to observe gallbladder cancer?

Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on May 10, 2025
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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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Gallbladder cancer CT manifestations

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 Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Is targeted therapy or immunotherapy better for gallbladder cancer?

The treatment of gallbladder cancer cannot be judged as whether targeted therapy or immunotherapy is better, but should be analyzed based on the specific condition of the disease. For early-stage gallbladder cancer patients, if no metastasis has occurred, the best treatment at this time is primarily surgical removal. Early-stage surgical removal can achieve a cure, and regular postoperative ultrasound checks to monitor the disease progression are sufficient. However, if the gallbladder cancer progresses to a late stage, there might be metastasis to other parts of the body, corresponding symptoms appear, and the disease progresses rapidly. The opportunity for surgical treatment may have been missed, and only systemic chemotherapy or other comprehensive treatments are available to alleviate symptoms.

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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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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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Gallbladder cancer ultrasonographic appearance

The appearance of gallbladder cancer on color ultrasound depends on the morphology of the cancer, which is mainly divided into five types: small nodular, thick-wall, fragmented, calculous, and mixed type. The small nodular type mainly features a polypoid elevation with a wide base, about 1-1.2 cm in size, and has isoechoic characteristics. The fragmented type is characterized by a wider base and irregular borders, presenting as hypoechoic or isoechoic masses. The calculous type shows an enlarged gallbladder, possibly containing hypoechoic and uneven solid masses that may fill the entire gallbladder. The thick-wall type primarily involves localized or diffuse thickening of the wall. The mixed type is a combination of papillary fragmented type and thick-wall type presence.