Gallbladder polyps: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Risks

The gallbladder, located below your liver, is responsible for storing the bile. Gallbladder polyps can be small growths in the inner lining. Although they are common, they are often benign and can be treated with antibiotics. However, large polyps may become cancerous. It's better to have them checked early as the prognosis for cancer is much better.

Gallbladder Polyps Symptoms

• Bloating in the abdomen
• Mild fever
• Weight loss
• Nausea
• Jaundice

What are the factors that could put you at risk of gallbladder polyps?

• Gallstones: History
• Gallbladder disease
• Constant, recurring gallbladder problems
• Chronic gallbladder disease
• Sex - Women are at greater risk because of their sexual orientation

Diagnosis

There are many steps involved in diagnosing gall bladder carcinoma. These steps include:

• Tests to determine liver function using blood.
• An MRI, CT scans or ultrasound are all imaging tests.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• Biopsy
• Laparoscopy is used to measure the extent of cancerous growth

Gallbladder cancer: Stages

Stage I - The inner layers of your gallbladder are confined.

Stage II - Invades the outer layer the gallbladder.

Stage III - Invades nearby organs (liver and small intestine), stomach, and lymph nodes.

Stage IV - The disease has spread to distant parts of the body.

Treatment

Gallbladder cancer is often treated with Gallbladder surgery, particularly in its early stages. This is also known as a cholecystectomy, and it is used to remove the gallbladder.

If the cancer has spread, it may be necessary to have the gallbladder or affected area of the liver removed.

Radiation therapy, chemotherapy or both may be used prior to a cholecystectomy in order to reduce the tumor size and to eliminate any remaining cancerous cells.

Support

To help you with gallbladder treatment in Kolkata, a multidisciplinary team will be needed. You could have an oncologist as well as a gastroenterologist and a radiation oncologist. These people will support you throughout the treatment, so it is important to have an experienced team that you feel comfortable with.

Gallbladder:

* A pear-shaped organ

* It is located under the liver in your abdomen

* Allows vitamins and nutrients to easily be absorbed into the blood

Gallbladder Problems: Symptoms

* Pain

- Most commonly occurs in the upper abdomen

- It could be mild and infrequent, or severe and frequent.

- The pain may radiate to the chest and back

* Vomiting or Nausea

* Acid reflux and gas

* Fever and chills are usually a sign of infection.

* Chronic Diarrhea: More than four bowel movements per day, for more than two weeks.

* Jaundice

* Some unusual stools or urine

Stools will have a light color.

Urine will appear dark and yellow

- This is usually a sign of bile drain blockages

Gallbladder Diseases

* Cholecystitis - This is inflammation of the gallbladder (can be acute, chronic).

* Gallstones - These are small, hard deposits that are usually harmless but can infected and cause pain.

* Choledocholithiasis: Common bile-duct stones that occur in the tube connecting the gall bladder and the intestines.

Infections can lead to pain and inflammation.

* A calculous gallbladder Disease - Similar symptoms to gallstones, but without the presence of gallstones

* Bile duct infection-Bile duct obstruction - Infection in the bile channel can be caused by common bile stones. You may need emergency treatment

* Abscessed Gallbladder Disease - Gallstones can infect the gallbladder, causing pus (empyema). Causes severe abdominal pain. Urgent attention is required

* Gallstone Ileus: Gallstones can move into the intestine, blocking it. Prevalent in the elderly

* Perforated Gallbladder- This occurs when gallstones aren't treated properly. Perforates the gallbladder. It can be fatal, as the infection spreads quickly.

* Gallbladder polyps - These benign growths can occur in the gallbladder. Although not dangerous, larger ones might need to be removed

* Porcelain gallbladders – Calcium deposits make the gallbladder walls stiffer, making them rigid.

* Gallbladder cancer - It is rare, but can spread quickly if not detected.