Surgery for gallbladder cancer
Surgery is the main treatment for early gallbladder cancer. There are different types of operation to remove the cancer or control symptoms.
To decide which treatment you need, your team looks at your tests and scan results to see if they can remove (resect) the cancer or not.
Your cancer can be resectable - which means they can remove it with surgery. Or it might be unresectable which means that surgery to remove the cancer completely is not possible. The cancer may have grown into nearby organs (locally advanced) or spread elsewhere in the body (advanced).
Surgery for gallbladder cancer
Surgery is the main treatment for early gallbladder cancer. There are different types of operation to remove the cancer.
Before your gallbladder cancer surgery
You have tests before your operation to check that you are well enough for a general anaesthetic and that you'll make a good recovery.
On the day of your gallbladder cancer surgery
You usually go into hospital on the same day or the day before your gallbladder cancer operation. You may stay in hospital for about 10 days, depending on the type of surgery.
After gallbladder cancer surgery
You may wake up in the intensive care unit or a high dependency recovery unit after your operation. Your treatment team monitor you and help you recover whilst you are in the hospital.
Problems after gallbladder cancer surgery
There is a risk of problems (complications) after any operation. Possible problems after surgery for gallbladder cancer include leakage of bile and infection.
