Gallbladder Cancer Information
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What is Gallbladder Cancer?
Cancer of the gallbladder is a disease in which malignant cells are found in the tissues of the gallbladder. A rare form of cancer, primary gallbladder cancer starts in the innermost layer of the gallbladder and spreads through the outer layers as it grows.
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that lies just below the liver in the upper abdomen. Bile, a fluid made by the liver that helps to digest fat, is stored in the gallbladder. Bile is released from the gallbladder through the common bile duct (a tube that connects the gallbladder and liver to the first part of the small intestine).
Cancer of the gallbladder is three times more common in women than in men.
Types of Gallbladder Cancer
The majority of gallbladder cancers are adenocarcinomas, and develop in the cells that line the digestive system). Depending on the appearance of the tumor cells under a microscope, some subtypes include: papillary, nodular, and tubular. Less common types of gallbladder cancer include: squamous cell carcinomas, signet ring cell carcinomas, and adenosquamous carcinomas.
Next Topic: Gallbladder Cancer Risk Factors
