Gallbladder cancer is uncommon and may be discovered incidentally on pathology after cholecystectomy.
What is this condition?
It arises from the gallbladder wall and is distinct from bile duct cancer.
Signs and symptoms
Right upper abdominal pain, weight loss, jaundice or fever may occur; symptoms are not specific.
Diagnostic assessment
Ultrasound, CT/MRI and the pathology report guide staging and subsequent planning.
General treatment framework
Very early disease may be treated by cholecystectomy alone; more advanced localized disease may require additional liver-bed and lymph-node surgery.
Role of surgery
The extent of surgery depends on pathological stage and details of any prior operation.