Gallbladder Cancer

Since there are different types of cells present in the gallbladder, any of these cell types can develop into cancer. 

• Adenocarcinoma - As one of the most common types of gallbladder cancers, Adenocarcinoma initially develops within glandular cells that line the organs in the digestive tract. The glandular cells produce mucus-like a thick fluid.
  
• Papillary Adenocarcinoma - These cancer cells are arranged in finger-like projections within the gallbladder. Compared to other types of gallbladder cancers, this type of cancer is less likely to spread to lymph nodes and distant organs.
  
• Less common types - Squamous cell cancer, adenosquamous carcinomas, small cell carcinomas and sarcomas

The signs and symptoms of gallbladder cancer may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal bloating
• Itchiness
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Losing weight without trying
• Nausea
• Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Lump in the abdomen
• Dark urine

Max Institute of Cancer Care (MICC) is one of the leading facilities in India, which offers the latest treatments under surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology. It is one of the largest chain of Cancer Centres in North India, with presence in Saket, Patparganj, Shalimar Bagh, Vaishali, Mohali and Bathinda. The centres are highly efficient and offer specialized and dedicated daycare with all significant sub-specialities, disease management groups and privacy to cancer patients.
 
With over 100 oncologists, Max Institute of Cancer Care provides world-class treatment facilities and focused care to cure various types of oncological diseases. The facility has the best cancer specialists, many of whom specialize in treating gallbladder cancer.

Max Institute of Cancer Care has advanced medical therapies for gallbladder cancer.  There is a Disease Management Group (DMG) to look further into the matter. Various specialities at the DMG come together for this. They participate in weekly tumour board meetings and share information to help the entire care team to help guide treatment planning An individualised treatment plan is made for each patient by a specialist multidisciplinary team of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, histopathologists, molecular pathologists, gastroenterologists, interventional radiologists, nuclear medicine, dietitians, physiotherapists and geneticist.

The doctors understand how to eradicate malignant cells in some patients' tumours without using standard treatments like traditional chemotherapy and radiation. The pathologists sub-specialize in the diagnosis of gallbladder cancer, and are internationally recognized and consulted. 

Our holistic cancer care includes the following:

• Adherence to the latest international cancer treatment protocols
• Superior cancer treatment technology: Max Institute of Cancer Care is the first facility in Northern India to acquire Novalis Tx for IMRT/IGRT, Radiosurgery, SRS/5RT. Other technologies at our disposal include Da Vinci XI Robotic System and Linear Accelerator (LINAC).
• Complete cancer care: Right from cancer screening, early detection, multidisciplinary treatment to rehabilitation.
• Dedicated daycare chemotherapy centres outside the hospital or in separate areas with chemo chairs-and-recliners, patient beds, a library, TV sets, and iPads are provided to take patients’ minds off from the treatment.
• A wider range of medical resources to draw from, with our multi-super speciality backups.

• Physical examination and history
• Blood tests such as liver function tests (LFT) and tumour markers (CEA assay, serum CA19-9 assay)
• Ultrasound
• Chest X-ray
• Imaging techniques in the form of Computerized Tomography Scan (CT Scan), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan, and/or Positron emission tomography (PET) Scan
• Laparoscopy

After confirmation of the diagnosis and the essential tests are completed, a fair idea about the stage of the disease can be obtained. 

Tumor Board
There is a constant cross chat between the various specialities at the respective Disease Management Group (DMG) Tumor Board meeting of gallbladder cancer. The main motive of the DMG is to make the best skills available to patients. Site-specific oncology allows the clinicians involved in patient care to focus only on certain cancers at which they become world experts.

Meetings are held once a week to discuss the situation with patients and arrive at the best possible management for the patient. The surgical, medical and radiation specialists of the gallbladder DMG along with the pathologists, radiologists and molecular oncologists attend these meetings.

Treatment options and recommendations depend on various factors, including the type and stage of cancer, possible side effects, and the patient’s preferences and overall health.

Max Institute of Cancer Care is a tertiary care centre at Max Hospitals, India. It is equipped with cutting-edge technology with which our team of oncology experts offer holistic care to patients. When it comes to treating gallbladder cancer, it offers the following options:

• Radiation Therapy: A treatment that uses high-energy X-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells.
  
• Chemotherapy: A treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping the cells from dividing.
  
• Surgery: The cancer is removed through the operation. Gallbladder surgery can be further divided into:
  
  
  • Cholecystectomy: A procedure where gallbladder and some of the tissues around it are removed. Nearby lymph nodes may also be removed.
  • Radical Gallbladder Resection
    
    

• Biliary Bypass Surgery: If the tumor is blocking the small intestine and bile is building up in the gallbladder, a biliary bypass may be done. During this operation, the gallbladder or bile duct will be cut and sewn to the small intestine to create a new pathway around the blocked area.
  
• Endoscopic Stent Placement: If the tumor is blocking the bile duct, surgery may be done to put in a stent (a thin, flexible tube) to drain bile that has built up in the area. The stent may be placed through a catheter that drains to the outside of the body or the stent may go around the blocked area and drain the bile into the small intestine.
  
  

• What You Need To Know About Gallbladder Cancer?
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• What is Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers