10 Symptoms of Gallbladder Cancer

Gallbladder cancer can be quite difficult to diagnose because it doesn’t cause symptoms in the earlier stages. So usually by the time you’re already aware that it’s there, cancer may already be in more advanced stages. Usually, a lot of early-stage gallbladder cancers happens without reason. There are many symptoms of gallbladder cancer and they occur at advanced stages of the disease. The challenging part is, the symptoms of gallbladder cancer might appear as symptoms of other illnesses. So, when you experience these, consult your doctor.

Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is usually one of the first symptoms of gallbladder cancer. It is also a symptom of a lot of different kinds of illnesses and diseases. You might complain about frequent aching on the right side of your abdomen. Some people would describe the ache as more of a dragging feeling rather than actual pain. It happens when gallstones or cancer blocks bile duct. It would most likely give a sharper abdominal pain.

Feeling Sick or Being Sick

This symptom occurs especially in the more advanced stages of cancer. Also, the diagnosis might be a lot bleaker. Studies have shown that more than half of the people diagnosed with this kind of cancer feel sick. Either that or they are getting sick quite often no matter how many medicines they take. Sometimes, you might experience this particular symptom, and you don’t see any cause of it. Now, it would be very much advisable to have yourself diagnosed. It is not only for cancer but other kinds of illnesses and diseases as well.

Jaundice

This is one of the symptoms that happen when bile salts build up in the blood. When cancer blocks the common bile duct, the bile doesn’t drain into the bowels as it would normally do. When this happens, the bile salts will start to build up in your body tissues and your blood. Again, more than half of the people diagnosed with this type of cancer have jaundice. When this happens, your skin and the whites of your eyes will begin to look yellow, and your skin may start to itch. Not only that, your urine may become darker and your stool much paler than usual.

Enlargement of the Gall Bladder

This is one of the scariest and most uncomfortable symptoms of gallbladder cancer. What happens is, when the cancer blocks bile duct, the gallbladder starts to fill up with the bile. It starts to swell and end up enlarged. In such case, the doctor might be able to feel the enlargement during a physical examination. It’s easier to detect when the enlargement is already severe. But, there is a higher likelihood for it to see if you have an ultrasound scan. Regular checkups ensure that on having diseases or illnesses, you will acknowledge it. Thus the treatment begins at the early stage.

Lumps in the Tummy

Gallbladder cancer blocks your bile ducts. This is what usually causes a lot of the symptoms on this list, such as lumps in your tummy. When cancer progresses and has begun to spread, it affects the liver first. Doctors might feel it as different sized lumps on the right side of your tummy. You can either have the doctor check you or go and have an imaging test at your local hospital or clinic.

Weight Loss without Effort

When you’re either gradually or rapidly losing weight, without even trying, it may be a symptom of gallbladder cancer. This weight loss is usually caused by another symptom, which is the loss of appetite. Losing weight, even if you haven’t made any changes to your diet, might be a symptom of the disease.

Nausea or Vomiting

Much like the loss of appetite, the feeling of nausea or vomiting is not normal. These symptoms indicate a variety of other illnesses despite gallbladder cancer. You will feel nauseated without cause. You may start vomiting, again without any cause. When this happens, it’s not only uncomfortable, but it will leave you weak and drained. Being one of the symptoms of a severe disease it will be a good idea to check with your doctor.

Fever

Although having a fever is common with a lot of illnesses if the fever keeps on coming back and you don’t see any other obvious cause for it there may be something more serious going on. This is the time for you to check with your doctor and have different tests taken. Fever can be a sign of a lot of various illnesses which you should not ignore.

Severe Itchiness

This is one of the more uncommon symptoms. This symptom may come alongside with jaundice and may even be a symptom of it. Severe itchiness happens when there are no rashes or hives on your body, but you feel itchy. Also, you’d have to determine first if you have any allergies. Before you start to panic, check if you came into contact with something. This will cause you to feel itchy.

Dark Urine. Black, Tarry or Greasy Stool

Finding blockage from bile duct cancer means that the liver has ceased to function. The urine and stools may start to deviate and change appearance. You may start seeing very dark urine, black, and tarry or greasy stool. When you see this, it may already be cause for alarm, and you should rush to your doctor immediately. These excretions signify that you are suffering from a serious disease.