Gall Bladder Cancer - Symptoms & Causes

What is gall bladder cancer?

Gall bladder cancer occurs when cells in the mucosal layer of the gall bladder grow abnormally, forming a growth or tumour that is malignant (cancerous).

The gall bladder is a pear-shaped organ located under the liver, and its function is to store bile, a liquid produced by the liver to help digest fat. Bile travels through a tube called the common bile duct, which connects your gall bladder to your small intestine.

Gall bladder cancer is difficult to diagnose and often detected by chance or when it has already progressed to a late stage. It can spread to other parts of the body to nearby tissues, through the lymphatic system or the blood's circulatory system.

Gall bladder cancer is relatively rare in Singapore, occurring in 1.7 out of every 100,000 people.

What are the symptoms of gall bladder cancer?

Symptoms of gall bladder cancer are similar to other less serious conditions. They include:

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
Abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Fever
Bloating
Lumps in the abdomen
Itching skin
Urine that is darker than usual
Stools that are paler than usual
Loss of appetite
Unintended or unexplained weight loss

Symptoms of end stage gall bladder cancer

If the gall bladder has reached at advanced stage, the following symptoms may be more severe:

Jaundice
Abdominal pain, often in the upper right area of the abdomen
Nausea and vomiting

What causes gall bladder cancer?

It is unclear what causes cells in the gall bladder to become cancerous. However, there are some factors that may increase your risk.

What are the risk factors for gall bladder cancer?

Gall bladder cancer is more common in women and older persons, with most cases being diagnosed above the age of 75.

You may be more likely to get gall bladder cancer if you have:

Gallstones
Cysts in the bile duct
Family history of gall bladder cancer
Chronic inflammation, infection or polyps in the gall bladder
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
Obesity
Salmonella infection

The following lifestyle factors may also increase your risk:

Smoking, which increases your risk for all types of cancer
Exposure to certain chemicals

How do you prevent gall bladder cancer?

There is no specific way to prevent gall bladder cancer, but you can reduce your risk by making adjustments to your lifestyle.

Quit smoking
Maintain a healthy body weight
Be physically active
Eat more whole foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains and limit red meat, processed foods and sugary drinks
Abstain from alcohol or limit your intake