Blood acts as a carrier, delivering all the vital nutrients to the cells, and also as the scavenger taking back all the wastes produced in the cells to the liver to be purified. The liver is the primary filter for the impurities in the blood and it is the main eliminator of waste including the dead blood cells, the free radicals and the toxins produced in our body. The liver constantly produces bile which aids in the process of cleansing out toxins, which is the main ingredient responsible for the breaking down of fat in the digestive system. The gallbladder which is connected to the liver aids in the function of receiving and storing the bile from the liver until it is made use of in the digestive tract to break down and emulsify fats and cholesterols found in our food.
An adult human gallbladder stores about 50 millilitres of bile, which is released when food containing fat enters the digestive tract. When the bile gets stored in the gall bladder, the level of concentration increases its potency thus intensifying its effect on the digestion of fats consumed.
Reasons for Cancer of the gallbladder
The cause for gallbladder cancer cannot be associated to just one factor or the other. But most often, it occurs in people who have been identified to have developed porcelain gall bladders. This is a condition wherein repeated inflammation from passing gallstones leads to calcification of the gall bladder. Even then gallbladder cancer is said to be an extremely rare occurrence.
Cancer of the gallbladder begins in the innermost layer of tissue and spreads through the outer layers as it spreads. Gallbladder cancer usually occurs when normal cells in the gallbladder begin to change and grow uncontrollably, forming a mass called a tumor. A noncancerous tumor is called benign and when it is cancerous, it is referred to as malignant, which means it can spread to other parts of the body.
Vital Symptoms of Gallbladder Cancer
Cancer of the gallbladder is hard to detect in the early stage as it is symptoms do not make themselves obvious to the threat. The symptoms start showing only in the advanced stages and by the time the cancer is diagnosed, it might have spread to other parts of the body, which is why gallbladder cancer is a serious health threat.
People suffering from gallbladder cancer may experience sharp pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen. Abdominal bloating is another symptom that is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and anorexia. Most people who are diagnosed with gallbladder cancer have a constant feeling of being sick and they lose weight involuntarily. Jaundice and lumps in the abdomen are also one of the many symptoms of gallbladder cancer, accompanied by fever.
As symptoms of gallbladder cancer are not unique, most of the suspected cases are put through tests for confirmation.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Most diagnostic tests that are now available are severely inadequate to pinpoint gall bladder cancer before surgery. Doctors evaluate patients after putting them through a standard evaluation, which includes blood test, hemoglobin count, tests that indicate abnormal liver function and abnormal clotting time. A CT scan would help confirm if the gall bladder wall has thickened, enlarged or increased in mass, which are indicators of gallbladder cancer. It would also help indicate the extent of the tumor and the extent of its spread.
An MRI scan can help determine if cancer can be surgically removed. Chest x-rays are usually taken to determine if cancer has spread to the lung. Finally a biopsy test of the tissue sample would positively identify the presence of cancerous tumor cells.
Treatment for Gallbladder Cancer
The usual treatments that are now available for treating gallbladder cancer are biliary bypass, endoscopic stent and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. Treatment of gallbladder cancer depends directly on the progression of the disease and the health status of the inpidual. As the human body can survive without a gallbladder, doctors would suggest safe removal if possible. Where ever removal wouldn’t be the final recourse, treatments are focused on controlling the spread and growth of the cancer. The best available treatments are external and internal radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Radiosensitizers are also used in gallbladder cancer treatment.
As a preventive means, a healthy diet routine focused at maintaining a proper bowel, kidney and liver functions would help in keeping the gallbladder free of diseases. Vegetarianism has been recommended as the best method for overall prevention of gallbladder cancer. Inculcating healthy food habits and sticking to a moderate life has proved beneficial in countering all kinds of illness or disease.
Although signs and symptoms are usually not present until the later stages of gallbladder cancer, in some cases they may lead to an early diagnosis. If you go to your doctor when you first notice symptoms. Less common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal swelling, severe itching, and black, tarry stools. High levels of these substances are often found in people with gallbladder cancer. Usually the blood levels of these markers are high only when the cancer is in an advanced stage.
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