Gallbladder Cancer: Signs and Symptoms

Gallbladder cancer develops in the tissues of the gallbladder—a small, pear-shaped organ located behind the right lower ribs. This condition is rare and often starts in the gland-like cells that line the gallbladder.

Gallbladder cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms in the early stages, so many people don’t receive a diagnosis until the cancer has progressed. When symptoms do develop, they may include abdominal pain, nausea, and jaundice.

Gallbladder cancer does not usually cause symptoms until the tumor has grown and started to spread to other areas of the abdomen.

When the tumor is large enough to press into other organs, it may cause abdominal pain. Most people with gallbladder cancer report pain in their upper right abdominal area. This pain can vary by person but often manifests as dull or sharp. 

Jaundice occurs when a greenish-yellow chemical called bilirubin builds up in the blood, causing the skin and the whites of your eyes to turn yellow. If a cancerous tumor in the gallbladder blocks the bile ducts, bile cannot exit the liver and drain into the small intestine. As bile builds up in the liver, it causes an increase in bilirubin in the blood. 

Jaundice can also be a sign of liver disease. Both gallbladder cancer and liver disease are serious conditions, so if you notice your skin and eyes turning yellow, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

People with blocked bile ducts may experience nausea and vomiting. When bile cannot drain into the small intestine, it builds up in the liver. This buildup may cause a lack of appetite and severe nausea. 

When you consume food (especially fatty foods), the gallbladder typically responds by squeezing and sending bile through the cystic duct into the small intestine. When a cancerous tumor blocks this duct or prevents the gallbladder from squeezing, people commonly feel very nauseous and vomit frequently. 

Gallbladder cancer often causes blocked bile ducts because of the growing tumor. When this occurs, bile collects in the gallbladder, causing the gallbladder to swell and increase in size. You may be able to feel a swollen gallbladder with your fingers; it feels like a hard lump on the right side of the abdomen and is often tender to the touch.

As gallbladder cancer progresses, it may spread to other areas of the abdomen. Possible symptoms of advanced gallbladder cancer include:

• Loss of appetite
• Unintended weight loss
• Swollen abdomen 
• Itchy skin
• Dark urine
• Light-colored or greasy stools
• Fever 

Gallbladder cancer is rare in adults and extremely rare in children. Possible symptoms of gallbladder cancer in children include severe abdominal bloating and discomfort.

The vast majority of children who experience symptoms that mimic gallbladder cancer tend to have an infection or other illness that’s causing their abdominal pain.

Gallbladder cancer is much more common in people assigned female at birth than people assigned male at birth. In the United States, gallbladder cancer occurs 3-4 times more often in females than males. Females are also more likely to experience gallbladder disease.

Gallstones and gallbladder inflammation are known risk factors for gallbladder cancer. 

While gallbladder cancer is not contagious, typhoid, an infectious illness, can increase your risk of developing it.

Typhoid is an infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi, which spreads through contaminated food and water. People infected with typhoid are more likely to be diagnosed with gallbladder cancer than those who haven’t. 

Gallbladder cancer is a serious disease, and early diagnosis and treatment are essential. See your healthcare provider if you develop persistent abdominal pain or nausea. Seek treatment immediately if your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow, as this is a likely sign of jaundice.

Your healthcare team can help you understand what’s causing your symptoms and get you started on cancer treatments if needed.

Gallbladder cancer is a rare cancer that develops in the cells that line the gallbladder. It does not typically cause symptoms in the early stages, but you may develop symptoms as the condition progresses.

Common symptoms of gallbladder cancer include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice. Signs of advanced gallbladder cancer include a loss of appetite, unintended weight loss, abdominal swelling, and dark urine.