Types of Cancer :: Gallbladder Cancer - Part III

What causes gallbladder cancer? What are the risk factors?

The cause of gallbladder cancer is unknown, although it has been associated with gallstones, high estrogen levels, cigarette smoking, alcohol, obesity, and the female gender. Also, patients with inflammatory bowel disease, (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease), are 10 times more likely to develop cancer of the extrahepatic biliary tract.

What are the signs and symptoms of gallbladder cancer?

Unfortunately, there are no specific, surefire symptoms that suggest a diagnosis of gallbladder cancer. Usually, patients present with problems resulting from blockage of the bile ducts, such as jaundice, loss of appetite and weight loss. There may be a mass and/or pain in the abdomen, especially on the right under the ribcage.

On patient examination, a healthcare provider (HCP) may detect ja undice of skin or the whites of the eyes, a mass in the right upper abdominal quadrant or around the belly button (periumbilical).

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