What is gallbladder cancer?
Gallbladder tumors are those that begin in the gallbladder. Such tumors often spread to the liver. In fact, half of all liver and biliary passage tumors are tumors of the gallbladder.

What are the signs and symptoms of gallbladder cancer?
Often, individuals with gallbladder cancers have nonspecific symptoms. Some have symptoms that are similar to those of advanced primary liver cancer. Other symptoms may include abdominal cramping, intolerance of fatty foods and pain in the right upper abdomen. Gallbladder tumors often lead to new-onset jaundice – a yellowish coloring of the skin that results from excess bile.

How is gallbladder cancer diagnosed?
In many cases, gallbladder cancers are found during surgery to remove gallstones or a dysfunctional gallbladder. A surgeon may see the tumor during the procedure, or a pathologist’s review of removed tissue may reveal cancerous cells.

Once diagnosed, how is gallbladder cancer evaluated?
Our physicians may order blood tests to measure liver function and other tests to evaluate the extent and location of the tumor. Such tests may include:

• Computed tomography (CT) scans of the liver, chest and pelvis to exclude or confirm that tumors have spread from another area
• A bone scan to exclude or confirm the presence of cancer in the bone

With the results of these tests, our physicians note the size and location of the tumor, how close it is to major hepatic blood vessels of the liver, and whether or there are any metastatic tumors or nodules.

Finally, patients who will be treated by chemotherapy may also need to undergo a hearing test and a MUGA heart scan.

Contact us
To schedule an appointment with a Jefferson physician call 1-800-JEFF-NOW or click here.

To contact the Liver Tumor Program team at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, please call 215-503-8752 and/or fax your records to 215-503-8755. We aim to schedule your first clinic visit within two weeks of your diagnosis being made and records being received.