Gallbladder Cancer Symptoms
This is one of the uncommon cancers in many parts of the world and as any other type of cancers, is named after the organ that it initiates in, i.e. gallbladder. Gallbladder is an important part of the digestive system as it stores and releases bile, a fluid required to aid digestion.
Gallbladder, a pear-shaped organ is located underneath the liver in the right side of the abdomen. This cancer develops gradually and if at all any symptoms show up, it may be misunderstood and related to any of the digestive problems. Many of the gallbladder symptoms are similar to the digestive system disorders such as constipation, bloating and gas.
Patient may select a better lifestyle to avoid the modifiable factors to cause gallbladder cancer such as environmental factors, diet factors. However, if the risk factor lies in the genes then nothing can be done much about the same.
Although, the studies are insufficient to state the exact cause for the disease, but the characteristic of the disease states that the disease pops up when the DNA of healthy cells in the gallbladder become mutated and involve abnormal and unwarranted growth. However, these abnormal cells do not die as the normal cells do.
Symptoms of Gallbladder Cancer:
Gallbladder is a small organ involved in the digestive system of the body and responsible for storing and releasing bile that facilitates the digestion of fats in the small intestine.
There may not be any prominent symptoms during the initial stage of gallbladder cancer, while the tumor is non-invasive and not developed into cancer. As the location of gallbladder is under the liver and above the upper abdomen, it is difficult to directly feel or see the tumor. However, even screening or examinations may not be sufficient to see the tumor growth in the beginning. Tumor growth may be a result of gallbladder removal for treating gall stone condition. The gallbladder cancer symptoms may resemble other potential conditions that have nothing related to cancer growth. However, as the disease advances the symptoms may become apparent.
Late Symptoms of Gallbladder Cancer:
There may be various symptoms of the disease and may be vague and related to the overall health, body weight, appetite and so on. The symptoms are however, lately detected and hence, make it difficult to initiate the treatment at early stages. Some of the common gallbladder symptoms driving people to seek medical assistance are:
Gallbladder cancer is a rare type of cancer but may be life-threatening if develops to advanced stage. However, gallbladder cancer symptoms may help in detecting the disease in the primary stage and treat the condition to increase the life-expectancy of gallbladder patient.
Gallbladder cancer has various risk factors associated with lifestyles and genetic factors. The risk factors are vital as they have the potential to trigger the development of the disease. Hence, avoiding the significant risk factors lowers the vulnerability to develop cancer of the gallbladder.
The accumulation of these abnormal cells form tumor in the region and obstructs its normal functionality. However, the tumor is neither invasive nor cancerous in the initial stage though it may develop to be cancerous soon. So be alert to any symptoms showing up due to the disease and start the treatment.