The treatment options for gallbladder cancer depend on several factors, such as the stage of the cancer, the location of the tumor, and the person’s overall health. The following are some of the treatment options for gallbladder cancer:
- Surgery: Surgery is the main treatment for gallbladder cancer. Depending on the stage and location of the cancer, the surgeon may remove the gallbladder, part of the liver, and other nearby tissues.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. It is often used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells or to shrink the tumor before surgery.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It may be used in combination with radiation therapy or after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.
- Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs to target specific genes or proteins that are involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a drug treatment that helps your immune system to fight cancer. Your body’s disease-fighting immune system might not attack cancer because the cancer cells produce proteins that make it hard for the immune system cells to recognize the cancer cells as dangerous. Immunotherapy works by interfering with that process. Immunotherapy might be an option for treating advanced gallbladder cancer.
- Palliative care: Palliative care is a type of care that focuses on improving the quality of life for people with advanced cancer. It may include treatments to manage symptoms such as pain, nausea, and fatigue.
The treatment plan for gallbladder cancer is determined on an individual basis by a team of healthcare professionals, including surgeons, oncologists, and radiation oncologists. The goal of treatment is to remove as much of the cancer as possible and to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body.