A small organ under the liver storing the bile juices manufactured by the liver and released during digestion is the Gallbladder. If it becomes cancerous, there may be no symptoms early on.
Abdominal pain, jaundice, loss of appetite and weight, and widespread itching ma develop. These symptoms are often mistakenly thought to indicate liver disease.
Gallbladder cancer mainly afflicts people in their late sixties and seventies and is somewhat more common among women than men are.
Treatment depends upon the stage of the disease when it is identified. Gallbladder removal is a relatively simple procedure. Loss of the organ poses no lasting problem, as the flow of bile can be redirected during surgery so that it passes directly from the liver into the intestine. Chemotherapy is sometimes used in addition to surgery. Medication, including painkillers and drugs to reduce itching, may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms.
Certain therapies can help reduce the pain and the stress that comes with having a life-threatening disease. Acupuncture and Acupressure, Hypnotherapy, Meditation and Visualization and Nutrition are some of the therapies.
Self-care is not effective in treating gall-bladder cancer, but you can take measures to prevent gallstones, which are often related to the cancer. Adopt a cholesterol-lowering diet that is high in starches and fiber, and limit fat intake to less of your total calorie intake. If you are overweight, try to lose excess pounds gradually through a sensible combination of diet and exercise. Refrain from cigarette smoking, which has been implicated in the formation of stone in the Gallbladder.
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