Diagnosing Gallbladder Cancer
Symptoms of gallbladder cancer
Many people who have gallbladder cancers have nonspecific symptoms. Some have symptoms that are similar to those of advanced primary liver cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Other symptoms, sometimes associated with gallbladder tumors include:
- Abdominal cramping
- Intolerance of fatty foods
- Pain in the right upper abdomen
- New onset jaundice (yellowish coloring of the skin that results from excess bile)
Testing for gallbladder cancer
In addition to a physical exam, your doctor may order imaging and blood tests to evaluate:
- The size of the tumor
- The tumor's location within the liver
- Its proximity to major hepatic blood vessels of the liver
- Whether there are metastatic tumors or nodules
Imaging studies
- CT scans of the liver, chest, and pelvis — to exclude or confirm the presence of tumors that have spread from another area
- Bone scan — to exclude or confirm the presence of cancer in the bone
Blood tests
Blood tests will:
- Evaluate your general health
- Measure liver function
Other tests
If you will be treated by chemotherapy, you may also need to have:
- An Audiogram (hearing test)
- A Multi Gated Acquisition Scan (MUGA) heart scan toevaluate function and test for heart failure
To schedule an appointment, or for more information, call the UPMC Liver Cancer Center, toll-free, at 1-855-74-LIVER or complete our contact form now.
