Why Choose Us for Gallbladder Cancer Care
At Huntsman Cancer Institute, we provide multidisciplinary, personalized care for gallbladder cancer. You are supported by a team of experts, including surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, hepatobiliary specialists, gastroenterologists, radiologists, pathologists, and supportive care staff. Your treatment plan is personalized based on your diagnosis and treatment goals. We focus on combining aggressive cancer control with preservation of function and quality of life.
鈥淢y doctor was very kind, knowledgeable, and helpful in explaining my gallbladder surgery. It was reassuring to know I was in good hands."
鈥擥allbladder Cancer Patient
Treatments We Offer
Treatment depends on your cancer stage, location, and overall health. These are common options:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Combined and sequential approaches, depending on the extent and the tumor鈥檚 ability to be surgically removed
Our Expertise
As the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center serving the Mountain West, we鈥檙e here to offer you the latest treatments and the highest level of care available, including expertise in the following:
- Management of rare gallbladder tumors and complex hepatobiliary cancers, or cancers of the liver, gallbladder, or bile ducts
- Multidisciplinary reviews by a team of cancer specialists for each case
- Integration of research and clinical trials into patient care
Patient Care Philosophy
We believe no one should face cancer alone. Our dedicated and world-renowned doctors, nurses, and medical staff are at the forefront of patient-centered care. We treat the whole person, not just their cancer.
Each day, our medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists work together across disciplines to create and coordinate treatment plans for every patient. We understand cancer is a complex disease. That is why we use a team approach that includes social workers and support groups, as well as wellness and integrative health services such as acupuncture, massage, creative arts, and more.
Find a Gallbladder Cancer Doctor
Gallbladder Cancer Research
Huntsman Cancer Institute is a nationally recognized leader in gastrointestinal cancer research, driving innovations to improve detection, treatment, and survivorship for people with gallbladder cancer. Our specialty brings together doctors and scientists who work side by side to turn scientific discoveries into better outcomes for you.
We also lead and participate in clinical trials focused on promising treatments for gallbladder cancer. With the largest Phase 1 clinical trials program in the Mountain West, Huntsman Cancer Institute offers patients access to cutting-edge therapies not widely available elsewhere.
Clinical Trials
Make an Appointment with a Gallbladder Cancer Specialist
To make an appointment with a gallbladder cancer specialist, fill out our appointment form or call 801-587-7000. Our team will determine if your insurance covers treatment at Huntsman Cancer Institute or if you need a referral from a primary care doctor.
External providers can refer a patient using the online referral form or by calling 801-587-7000 to speak to a patient registration specialist.
Gallbladder Cancer Basics
Gallbladder cancer develops when malignant (cancerous) cells form in the tissues of the gallbladder.
These are warning signs of gallbladder cancer:
- Jaundice, or yellowing of skin and eyes
- Pain in the upper abdomen, especially above the stomach region
- Fever
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal bloating
- Palpable lumps in the abdomen
Many of these symptoms may be caused by other conditions. If you are experiencing any concerning signs, please schedule a screening today.
These are risk factors for gallbladder cancer:
- Being female
- Being American Indian
These risk factors don鈥檛 guarantee development of cancer but increase likelihood compared to the average person.
Understand your risk. Schedule a genetic counseling session today.
Doctors may use these to diagnosis gallbladder cancer:
- Physical exam and medical history
- Laboratory tests like liver function tests or tumor marker tests, which measure substances鈥攕uch as proteins in blood, urine, or tissue鈥攖hat may indicate the presence of cancer
- Imaging studies, like ultrasound, CT, or MRI
- Specialized procedures that include endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) to view bile ducts
- Biopsy of suspicious tissue
When a person is diagnosed with cancer, concerns about treatments and side effects, hospital stays, and medical bills are common. Huntsman Cancer Institute offers many ways to support patients, caregivers, and loved ones.
Staging helps determine how far the cancer has spread. These are the stages of gallbladder cancer:
- Stage 0: Tumor is carcinoma in situ, which means abnormal cells are limited to the gallbladder lining.
- Stage 1: Cancer spreads beyond the inner lining but remains confined to gallbladder wall layers.
- Stage 2: Tumor invades outer layers of gallbladder wall.
- Stage 3 (3A, 3B, 3C): Cancer spreads into adjacent organs or regional lymph nodes.
- Stage 4 (4A, 4B): Cancer spreads into major blood vessels of the liver or distant metastases.
When gallbladder cancer spreads to another site, for example, the bone, those cancer cells are still gallbladder cancer cells鈥攖his is metastatic gallbladder cancer, not a new cancer of the bone.
Need help navigating your care? The Cancer Learning Center is here to support you with personalized guidance, resources, and answers to your questions.
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