Treatment

The treatment of gallbladder cancer depends on the size and location of the tumor, whether the cancer has spread, and the patient’s overall health. In many cases, a team of doctors will work with the patient to determine the best treatment plan.

This section outlines treatments that are the standard of care (the best treatments available) for this specific type of cancer. Patients are also encouraged to consider clinical trials when making treatment plan decisions. A clinical trial is a research study to test a new treatment to prove it is safe, effective, and possibly better than standard treatment. Your doctor can help you review all treatment options. For more information, visit the Clinical Trials section.

Gallbladder cancer may be treated with one or more techniques including surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. If detected at an early stage, gallbladder cancer has a much higher chance of being successfully treated. A team of doctors, including a gastroenterologist, surgeon, medical oncologist, and radiation oncologist, may be involved in treatment planning.

Descriptions of the most common treatment options for gallbladder cancer are listed below.

Surgery

A surgical oncologist is a doctor who specializes in treating cancer using surgery. The following are types of surgery used in the treatment of gallbladder cancer:

Cholecystectomy. Also called a simple cholecystectomy, this procedure involves the removal of the gallbladder. An extended cholecystectomy is the removal of the gallbladder, one inch or more of liver tissue located next to the gallbladder, and all of the lymph nodes in the region.

Radical gallbladder resection. This procedure involves the removal of the gallbladder, a wedge-shaped section of the liver near the gallbladder, the common bile duct, part or all of the ligaments between the liver and intestines, and the lymph nodes around the pancreas and nearby blood vessels.

Palliative surgery. Surgery may sometimes help relieve symptoms caused by gallbladder cancer, even if the tumor cannot be removed. For example, surgery may relieve a blockage of the bile ducts or intestines.

Learn more about cancer surgery.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to kill cancer cells. A doctor who specializes in giving radiation therapy to treat cancer is called a radiation oncologist. The most common type of radiation treatment for gallbladder cancer is called external-beam radiation therapy, which is radiation therapy given from a machine outside the body. Radiation therapy may be used before surgery to shrink the size of the tumor or after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells. In some cases, radiation therapy is given during surgery to directly target the area of the tumor and protect healthy organs from the effects of traditional radiation therapy. This procedure is called intra-operative radiation therapy, or IORT.

Side effects of radiation therapy may include fatigue, mild skin reactions, upset stomach, loose bowel movements, and damage to nearby structures such as the liver or intestines. Most side effects go away soon after treatment is finished. Learn more about radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Systemic chemotherapy is delivered through the bloodstream, targeting cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy is given by a medical oncologist, a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with medication. Some people may receive chemotherapy in their doctor’s office; others may go to the hospital. A chemotherapy regimen (schedule) usually consists of a specific number of cycles given over a specific time.

Chemotherapy may be given before surgery to shrink the tumor or after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells. It also may be combined with radiation therapy. Chemotherapy can be given by mouth or injection. The drugs that are commonly recommended include gemcitabine (Gemzar) and fluorouracil (5-FU, Efudex). The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the individual and the dose used, but can include fatigue, risk of infection, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. These side effects usually go away once treatment is finished.

Learn more about chemotherapy and preparing for treatment. The medications used to treat cancer are continually being evaluated. Talking with your doctor is often the best way to learn about the medications prescribed for you, their purpose, and their potential side effects or interactions with other medications. Learn more about your prescriptions by using searchable drug databases.

Find out more about common terms used during cancer treatment.