Henna Malik, M.D., medical oncologist at Texas Oncology–Cypress and Houston Willowbrook, discusses causes and treatment options for gallbladder cancer.
What is gallbladder cancer and how common is it in the United States?
Gallbladder cancer occurs when cancerous cells develop in the tissues of the gallbladder, a small organ located below the liver. Cancer of the gallbladder is rare, with fewer than 5,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States.
What causes gallbladder cancer? Can you share some ways to reduce the risk of developing gallbladder cancer?
The causes of gallbladder cancer vary and are similar to the risk factors in other types of cancer, including smoking, elevated blood glucose, chronic infections, and gallstones. The risk of developing gallbladder cancer can be reduced by making healthy diet modifications, maintaining a healthy weight, and stopping smoking.
How has the treatment landscape changed? Do you expect it to continue changing?
The treatment landscape for gallbladder cancer has changed with advances in immunotherapy and targeted therapies. As cancer treatments continue to advance, we remain hopeful that new and better therapies will become available.