Gallbladder cancer is a rare type of cancer, and in its early stages, it often doesn’t cause any symptoms. As the cancer progresses, the following signs and symptoms may occur:
- Abdominal pain: Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen that may radiate to the back and shoulder blade.
- Nausea and vomiting: Nausea and vomiting may occur as a result of the pain or due to the obstruction of the bile ducts.
- Jaundice: Jaundice means either that your liver is not working properly, or that there is a blockage in your biliary system. The symptoms can include:
- yellowing skin and whites of the eyes
- severe itching in some people
- darkened urine
- pale coloured stools (bowel movements)
- Fever: A fever may occur as a result of an infection or inflammation.
- Weight loss: Unintentional weight loss may occur as a result of loss of appetite or the cancer spreading to other organs.
- Itchy skin: Itching may occur as a result of the buildup of bile salts in the skin.
- Gallbladder enlargement: If your bile duct is blocked, your gallbladder will fill up with bile and get swollen and enlarged. Your doctor may be able to feel this during a physical examination but is more likely to see it on an ultrasound scan.
- Abdominal swelling: A mass may be felt in the abdomen due to the growth of the tumor.
It is important to note that these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than gallbladder cancer, but if you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause. Early diagnosis and treatment of gallbladder cancer can improve the chances of successful treatment.