MRI manifestations of gallbladder cancer

Written by Shen Jiang Chao
Radiology
Updated on September 09, 2024
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The manifestations of gallbladder cancer on MRI primarily include significant thickening of the gallbladder wall or a mass within the gallbladder. Generally, it appears as low signal on T1-weighted images and high signal on T2-weighted images. After enhancement, the lesion shows obvious enhancement. If the lesion is large, necrosis may occur internally. Since the gallbladder is close to the liver, if abnormal signals are found in the liver, intrahepatic metastasis should be considered, which further confirms the possibility of gallbladder cancer. Additionally, gallbladder cancer can also invade the nearby bile ducts, causing dilation of the bile ducts, as well as local or distant lymph node metastasis.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Can gallbladder cancer be detected by cancer embryonic antigen test?

The use of cancer embryo antigen in patients with gallbladder cancer has certain reference value, but it is not absolute. Patients with gallbladder cancer typically show a significant increase in embryonic antigen. Gallbladder cancer is difficult to diagnose early as it generally does not show specific symptoms. Some patients may experience mild discomfort in the upper right abdomen, but this is often overlooked or misdiagnosed as other diseases, such as chronic gastritis. Therefore, once diagnosed with gallbladder cancer, it is usually already at a middle to late stage. Although the cancer embryo antigen in tumor marker tests of gallbladder cancer patients can be elevated, this is not absolute. Therefore, when discomfort in the upper right abdomen occurs, further comprehensive examinations like color ultrasound, CT, and other related tests are necessary to differentiate it.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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What foods to eat for late-stage gallbladder cancer?

Patients with advanced liver cancer will experience metastasis to other parts of the body, presenting corresponding clinical symptoms that affect the quality of life. Furthermore, patients with advanced liver cancer often exhibit significant weight loss and cachexia, commonly accompanied by hypoalbuminemia. Therefore, for patients with advanced gallbladder cancer, it is advisable to include a diet rich in high-protein foods, which can help replenish the proteins needed by the body, such as albumin, and improve the patient's immunity. It is beneficial to eat fresh vegetables, fruits, as well as lean meats, eggs, and fish, to address these symptoms appropriately. At the same time, for patients with advanced gallbladder cancer, it is important to avoid spicy and irritating foods, as well as foods that are difficult to digest, because these can increase the burden on the gallbladder, exacerbating the condition and impeding treatment. Hence, this should be given careful consideration.

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Written by Shen Jiang Chao
Radiology
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Gallbladder cancer CT manifestations

Gallbladder cancer commonly occurs in females, and its causes may be related to chronic and long-term irritation from cholecystitis and gallstones. On a CT scan, based on the tumor's pathological classification and growth patterns, it can be divided into the following types: The first type is the infiltrative type, which is characterized by irregular thickening of the gallbladder wall, usually greater than 1 cm, with a rough edge, and significant enhancement is seen after contrast enhancement. The second type is the mass-forming type, which presents as a large soft tissue mass filling the gallbladder, also showing significant enhancement after injection of contrast agent. The third type is the nodular type, which presents as either single or multiple nodules that protrude into the gallbladder cavity, appearing papillary or cauliflower-like. The fourth type is the obstructive type, generally a tumor at the neck of the gallbladder, causing obstruction of the common bile duct.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Difference between early-stage and mid-stage gallbladder cancer

For gallbladder cancer, its staging is mainly based on the size of the tumor and whether there are metastases to other parts of the body, including lymph node metastases. In early-stage gallbladder cancer patients, the tumor is generally small and there are no metastases to other parts of the body. At this stage, patients typically do not show specific symptoms. Additionally, for patients with mid-stage gallbladder cancer, they may experience discomfort or dull pain in the upper right abdomen, and may also experience weight loss, possibly even developing cachexia. Therefore, gallbladder cancer patients can undergo surgical removal and a pathological examination can provide a better assessment of the pathological stage, leading to a better treatment plan.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Can gallbladder cancer with liver metastasis be treated?

If a gallbladder cancer patient experiences liver metastasis, aggressive treatment can be applied, but it can only be symptomatic treatment and cannot achieve a cure. Gallbladder cancer is a type of malignancy with a high degree of malignancy, prone to metastasis to other parts, and with very poor treatment outcomes. If liver metastasis occurs, the condition is severe and has reached the middle to late stages. Treatment cannot involve surgical removal at this time. Instead, active management should be employed to improve quality of life and better control the disease, though it cannot be cured. When gallbladder cancer patients experience liver metastasis, symptoms may include pain in the liver area, abnormal liver function, hypoalbuminemia, ascites, and other clinical symptoms. At this time, symptomatic treatment should be actively pursued to better maintain the patient's life and improve quality of life.