Gallbladder Cancer Risk Factors
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Understanding Gallbladder Cancer Risk Factors
A pear-shaped organ, the gallbladder is about 2-3 inches long and sits to the right of the abdomen in the gallbladder fossa, a depression on the undersurface of the liver. The gallbladder is a storage center for bile produced in the liver. During digestion, bile drains from the gallbladder through the bile ducts and into the lower part of the intestine to aid in the breakdown of fats and lipids.
Gallbladder cancer is relatively rare—less than 1,000 cases of gallbladder and bile duct cancer are diagnosed each year. Although a risk factor (such as a history of gallstones) may affect your chances of getting this disease, the likelihood that one more of these factors will lead to cancer is rare.
An exact cause of gallbladder cancer is unknown. However, doctors believe that factors, including certain diseases and conditions causing inflammation of the gallbladder, may increase the risk of developing cancer.
Risk Factors for Gallbladder Cancer
Some related diseases and conditions that may increase the risk of gallbladder cancer include the following:
- Gallstones: Liquid bile may harden into a stone-like material under certain conditions. Either several small stones or one large stone may form and potentially block the flow of bile. Gallstones are fairly common, particularly in middle-age women. However, out of all the people with gallstones, only a small percentage develop gallbladder cancer.
- Choledochal cysts: Bile-filled cysts may develop on the bile ducts. Sometimes the lining of the cysts may develop pre-cancerous cells, increasing the risk of cancer.
- Porcelain gallbladder: This is a condition where calcium deposits cover the wall of the gallbladder. There may be a link between chronic inflammation and the calcification of the gallbladder.
- Gallbladder polyps: Abnormal growths on the gallbladder may result from the accumulation of mucous membrane tissue. There are many kinds of gallbladder polyps, including the cholesterosis (cholesterol polyps). Small polyps (less than a centimeter) are typically benign, but larger polyps may develop into adenocarcinomas.
- Bile duct abnormalities: Other conditions that may cause the bile ducts to back-up or result in inflammation of the gallbladder may be a potential risk factor.
- Chemical exposure: Some studies have shown that exposure to certain industrial chemicals, particularly in the rubber and textile industries, may be linked to an increased risk of gallbladder cancer.
NOTE: Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer. Not having risk factors does not mean that you won't get cancer. If you think you may be at risk, you should discuss it with your doctor.
Age, Gender and Other Gallbladder Risk Factors
The risk of gallbladder cancer increases with age. The majority of diagnoses are in people older than age 65. Women are twice as likely as men to develop gallbladder cancer.
A higher incidence of gallbladder cancer occurs in Native American and Mexican Americans, particularly in the South Western populations. Obesity is also thought to affect an individual's risk of developing gallblader cancer—again, a factor that might be related to the inflammation of the gallbladder.
Understanding Your Risk of Gallbladder Cancer
Having one or more of these risk factors does not mean you will develop cancer. Talk to your doctor if you believe you may have an increased risk of gallbladder cancer. Together, you can better understand what these risk factors mean to your overall health and well being.
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