Is surgery possible in advanced gallbladder cancer?
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
One of my friends, who is 55 years old, has been diagnosed with metastatic CA of the gall bladder (last stage) with direct infiltration of the segment IV of the right lobe of the liver, hepatic flexor of the colon, porta hepatis, head of the pancreas and first part of the duodenum. I want your suggestion regarding treating such cases of CA of the gall bladder.
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Thank you for your query.
This is most likely metastatic gall bladder cancer, as mentioned by the radiologist, but needs a biopsy to confirm and to further characterize the tumor. Your friend can be treated with palliative chemotherapy. It will not cure the disease, but will give some relief depending on the response to chemotherapy. Palliative chemotherapy will also depend on the patient's condition and whether he can tolerate chemotherapy.
The only way to cure such tumors is surgery if detected at an early stage, when the whole tumor can be removed.
I hope this has helped you.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
We have received the biopsy report as per your suggestion. The doctors had concluded that it was malignant (last stage). Also, the patient had a stent installed two weeks ago for excreting the bile, and the current bilirubin level is 12 mg/dL. What could be the status of the gall bladder and the stent after the bile levels become normal? Kindly help.
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I went through your friend's report; this biopsy report (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity) is not showing any evidence of cancer. But clinically and radiologically, it is most likely to be cancer of the gall bladder. The cancer mass obstructed bile drainage, so it improved after installing the stent.
I suggest getting an ultrasound done or a CT (computed tomography) guided biopsy from a mass in the gall bladder region or another mass, at the radiologist's discretion.
I hope this has helped you.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thanks a lot for your reply and guidance.
Can we confirm the patient's malignancy only after a CT biopsy, or would anything more be needed?
Thank you.
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