Gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder cancer is when abnormal cells in the gallbladder start to divide and grow in an uncontrolled way. 

The symptoms of gallbladder cancer include tummy pain, feeling sick, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) or an enlarged gallbladder. 

Factors that increase the risk of developing gallbladder cancer include age, gallstones, gallbladder polyps and being overweight. Read about these and other risk factors. 

Survival depends on how advanced your gallbladder cancer is when you are diagnosed.  

The stage of a cancer tells you how big it is and whether it has spread. The grade means how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope. 

The type of cancer tells you which type of cell it started in. There are several types of gallbladder cancer.

You usually start by seeing your GP. They might refer you for tests or to a specialist if you have symptoms that could be caused by gallbladder cancer.  

The treatment you might have depends on the size and type of your gallbladder cancer and whether it has spread.

Get practical and emotional support to help you cope with a diagnosis of gallbladder cancer, and life during and after treatment.

Find out about the latest UK research and clinical trials looking into gallbladder cancer.

Advanced gallbladder cancer is cancer that has spread outside the gallbladder into lymph nodes or nearby organs. Or that has spread to another part of the body such as the lungs (secondary or metastatic gallbladder cancer).