Treatment Options Based on the Extent of Gallbladder Cancer
- 3 years ago
Treatment Options Based on the Extent of Gallbladder Cancer
The extent of gallbladder cancer is an important factor in deciding on treatment options. Whenever possible, surgery is the main treatment. It's the best chance of curing the cancer. Because of this, doctors generally divide gallbladder cancers into 2 groups:
Resectable cancers are those that doctors believe can be removed completely by surgery, based on the results of imaging procedures and other tests.
Unresectable cancers have spread too far or are in too difficult a place to be removed entirely by surgery.
Resectable gallbladder cancers
In terms of stages , stage I and II cancers and some stage III cancers that have not spread far beyond the gallbladder may still be treatable with surgery. But it's not an option if the cancer has spread into major blood vessels. Other factors, such as whether a person is healthy enough for surgery, also affect whether surgery is a good option. For instance, if the cancer has only invaded the liver in one area and not too deeply, it may be possible to remove all of the cancer. On the other hand, if the cancer has spread to both sides of the liver, to the lining of the abdominal cavity, to organs far away from the gallbladder, or if it surrounds a major blood vessel, surgery is unlikely to remove it all.
How the cancer is first found can impact treatment options, too. For example, some cancers are found on imaging tests before surgery, while others are found only after the gallbladder has been taken out to treat another condition such as gallstones.
If gallbladder cancer is suspected or diagnosed, it’s a good idea to be seen by a surgeon with experience treating this type of cancer. Gallbladder cancer is rare, and not all surgeons are skilled at the more extensive operations needed to treat it.
No matter what stage the cancer is, it’s very important that you understand the goal of treatment before it starts – whether it’s to try to cure the cancer or to help relieve symptoms – as well as the likelihood of the benefits and risks. This can help you make good decisions when looking at your treatment options.
Gallbladder cancers that might be resectable
These are earlier stage cancers that doctors believe might be removed completely by surgery. Treatment of these cancers depends in part on how they're first found.
Cancer found after surgery for another gallbladder problem
Some gallbladder cancers are found when the gallbladder is removed to treat gallstones or chronic inflammation. The removed gallbladder is looked at and tested in a lab, at which time the cancer is found. These are often early-stage cancers. If the cancer is confirmed to be only in the inner layers of the gallbladder (T1a) , with no signs of spread outside the gallbladder, no further treatment may be needed because there's a very good chance that all of the cancer was removed.
If the cancer is found to be in deeper layers of the gallbladder wall (T1b or greater), other tests will b
The extent of gallbladder cancer is an important factor in deciding on treatment options. Whenever possible, surgery is the main treatment. It's the best chance of curing the cancer. Because of this, doctors generally divide gallbladder cancers into 2 groups:
Resectable cancers are those that doctors believe can be removed completely by surgery, based on the results of imaging procedures and other tests.
Unresectable cancers have spread too far or are in too difficult a place to be removed entirely by surgery.
Resectable gallbladder cancers
In terms of stages , stage I and II cancers and some stage III cancers that have not spread far beyond the gallbladder may still be treatable with surgery. But it's not an option if the cancer has spread into major blood vessels. Other factors, such as whether a person is healthy enough for surgery, also affect whether surgery is a good option. For instance, if the cancer has only invaded the liver in one area and not too deeply, it may be possible to remove all of the cancer. On the other hand, if the cancer has spread to both sides of the liver, to the lining of the abdominal cavity, to organs far away from the gallbladder, or if it surrounds a major blood vessel, surgery is unlikely to remove it all.
How the cancer is first found can impact treatment options, too. For example, some cancers are found on imaging tests before surgery, while others are found only after the gallbladder has been taken out to treat another condition such as gallstones.
If gallbladder cancer is suspected or diagnosed, it’s a good idea to be seen by a surgeon with experience treating this type of cancer. Gallbladder cancer is rare, and not all surgeons are skilled at the more extensive operations needed to treat it.
No matter what stage the cancer is, it’s very important that you understand the goal of treatment before it starts – whether it’s to try to cure the cancer or to help relieve symptoms – as well as the likelihood of the benefits and risks. This can help you make good decisions when looking at your treatment options.
Gallbladder cancers that might be resectable
These are earlier stage cancers that doctors believe might be removed completely by surgery. Treatment of these cancers depends in part on how they're first found.
Cancer found after surgery for another gallbladder problem
Some gallbladder cancers are found when the gallbladder is removed to treat gallstones or chronic inflammation. The removed gallbladder is looked at and tested in a lab, at which time the cancer is found. These are often early-stage cancers. If the cancer is confirmed to be only in the inner layers of the gallbladder (T1a) , with no signs of spread outside the gallbladder, no further treatment may be needed because there's a very good chance that all of the cancer was removed.
If the cancer is found to be in deeper layers of the gallbladder wall (T1b or greater), other tests will b