Gallbladder Cancer Questions & Answers

Updated: Sep 28, 2023
  • Author: Eric Fox, DO, MA; Chief Editor: N Joseph Espat, MD, MS, FACS  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

How common is gallbladder cancer?

What are the signs and symptoms of gallbladder cancer?

Which lab tests are performed in the workup of gallbladder cancer?

What is the role of imaging studies in the diagnosis of gallbladder cancer?

How is gallbladder cancer staged?

How is gallbladder cancer treated?

What are biliary tract cancers and what is their prognosis?

How common is gallbladder cancer?

What is the pathophysiology of gallbladder cancer?

What is the role of genetics in the pathophysiology of gallbladder cancer?

What is the role of alpha-methylacyl coenzyme A racemase (AMACR) expression in the pathophysiology of gallbladder cancer?

What is the role of anatomy in the pathophysiology of gallbladder cancer?

What is the incidence of gallbladder cancer in the US?

What is the global prevalence of gallbladder cancer?

What are the mortality rates for gallbladder cancer?

Which patient groups are at highest risk for gallbladder cancer?

Presentation

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of gallbladder cancer?

Which physical findings are characteristic of gallbladder cancer?

Which conditions are associated with gallbladder cancer?

DDX

What are the differential diagnoses for Gallbladder Cancer?

Workup

What is the role of lab studies in the workup of gallbladder cancer?

What is the role of imaging studies in the workup of gallbladder cancer?

What is the role of ERCP in diagnosis of gallbladder cancer?

What is the role of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) in diagnosis of gallbladder cancer?

What is the role of imaging-assisted fine-needle aspiration in the diagnosis of gallbladder cancer?

Which histologic findings are diagnostic of gallbladder cancer?

How is gallbladder cancer staged?

How are primary tumors staged in gallbladder cancer?

How are lymph nodes staged in gallbladder cancer?

How are metastases staged in gallbladder cancer?

What are the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stages for gallbladder cancer?

Treatment

How is gallbladder cancer treated?

What is the role of surgery in the treatment of gallbladder cancer?

Which specialist consultations are beneficial for patients with gallbladder cancer?

Guidelines

What are the NCCN treatment guidelines for resectable gallbladder cancer?

What are NCCN guidelines for the evaluation of gallbladder cancer?

What are the ESMO diagnostic guidelines for gallbladder cancer?

What are the ASGE guidelines for evaluation of gallbladder polyps?

What is the TNM staging for gallbladder cancer?

What are the ESMO treatment guidelines for resectable gallbladder cancer?

What are the NCCN treatment guidelines for unresectable or metastatic gallbladder cancer?

Medications

What is the role of medications in the treatment of gallbladder cancer?

Which medications in the drug class Antineoplastic agents are used in the treatment of Gallbladder Cancer?

Follow-up

What is included in the long-term monitoring of gallbladder cancer?

How is gallbladder cancer prevented?

What is the prognosis of gallbladder cancer?