Can gallstones turn into cancer?

Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on September 14, 2024
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If gallstones are not treated promptly, the probability of developing gallbladder cancer is higher than in healthy individuals. Long-term untreated gallstones can irritate the gallbladder, leading to decreased gallbladder function and causing cancerous changes. Chronic thickening of the gallbladder wall can occur from prolonged episodes of gallstones, worsening inflammation, which can lead to more severe inflammation of the gallbladder mucosa and result in cancerous changes. In fact, gallstones are an important factor in the development of gallbladder cancer. However, not all patients with gallbladder cancer have gallstones, but clinically, about 70% of patients with gallbladder cancer have concurrent gallstones. Therefore, even if patients with gallstones do not exhibit symptoms, they should be particularly cautious and undergo regular physical examinations annually to detect problems early and treat them promptly.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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What should I do if gallstones cause my complexion to turn yellow?

If a patient with gallstones presents with yellowing of the skin, jaundice has occurred. When jaundice appears, it is often a secondary obstructive jaundice. In such cases, the patient will display symptoms such as lighter stool color, darker urine color, and yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes due to jaundice. Therefore, at this point, the only treatment for the patient is surgery, which typically involves laparoscopic cholecystectomy. By removing the gallbladder, a definitive cure can often be achieved. In severe cases, some cholesterol-lowering medications may be used for symptomatic treatment, but generally, symptoms can be alleviated after surgical removal.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Can I eat before a gallbladder stone examination?

Before checking for gallstones, one should not eat, as the main methods of examination are through color ultrasound and CT scans, which can better lead to a diagnosis. Both color ultrasound and CT scans require fasting because eating can cause the stomach to fill, potentially resulting in artifacts that hinder the observation of the condition. Therefore, patients with gallstones need to fast before the examination. The approach to treatment depends on the presence of symptoms and the size of the stones. For large gallstones that cause recurrent episodes, early surgical treatment should be considered. Only by surgically removing the gallbladder can a definitive cure be achieved, which can significantly improve the prognosis for the patient.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Gallbladder stones minimally invasive surgery, how long before getting out of bed?

How soon a patient with gallbladder stones can get out of bed and move around after minimally invasive surgery mainly depends on their recovery post-operation. For patients with gallbladder stones, the primary surgical method chosen is laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Due to the small incisions, minimal damage, and faster recovery associated with laparoscopy, it is often the preferred choice in clinical settings. Generally, patients can start moving around about five days post-surgery. However, in cases where patients have other underlying conditions, such as malnutrition, hypoproteinemia, or heart failure, the healing time may be extended. In such cases, it could take about half a month before they can move around. Therefore, the specific time when a patient can get out of bed and move around should be analyzed based on individual medical conditions.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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How to treat gallstones?

For the treatment of gallbladder stones, the approach mainly depends on whether there are symptoms or not. For patients with asymptomatic gallstones, which are relatively small in size, they are often found during ultrasonography and do not require special treatment. Regular follow-up ultrasonography is conducted to dynamically observe changes in size. Of course, diet should also avoid spicy and stimulating foods to reduce inflammatory stimulation and avoid foods high in cholesterol and fats, focusing on a light diet, which can alleviate symptom flare-ups and control the condition. For patients with larger gallstones who often experience discomfort and pain in the upper right abdomen, early surgical treatment should be pursued, as surgery is the only way to achieve a cure and can significantly improve the patient's quality of life.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Causes of gallstones

The main cause of gallstones is attributed to diet, with cholesterol stones being the most common type among patients. Therefore, individuals who consume foods high in fats and cholesterol, such as offal and fatty meats, are more prone to developing gallstones. Of course, the formation of gallstones is also closely related to genetic and environmental factors. Treatment of gallstones primarily depends on the presence or absence of symptoms. Patients with small gallstones usually do not exhibit noticeable symptoms and do not require special treatment, but should regularly undergo follow-up ultrasound examinations to monitor any changes. However, patients with symptomatic gallstones need to have their gallbladder surgically removed to achieve a cure.