Gallbladder Cancer Treatment

Innovative Gallbladder Treatment Options Tailored to the Patient

When it comes to gallbladder cancer and other gastrointestinal conditions, expert evaluation is vital to accurately diagnose gallbladder cancer and then determine the best course of treatment for the individual patient.

At Hoag, our multidisciplinary team of gastrointestinal experts works together to thoroughly review and determine the best treatment option suited to each individual patient. The Hoag-USC team then carefully tailors a personalized treatment plan to effectively achieve the best possible outcome for the patient. This emphasis on a collaborative, comprehensive approach to patient-centered care is why Hoag patient outcomes rank are among the nation’s best.

Once gallbladder cancer is diagnosed, important staging tests are performed to determine if the cancer has spread, and if so, to what extent. The type of treatment recommended depends upon the stage of the cancer and may include options such as:

Radical Cholecystectomy

Surgical removal of the gallbladder is called a radical cholecystectomy. In addition to removing the gallbladder, part of the liver, the common bile duct and lymph nodes near the gallbladder are also removed.

At Hoag, our multidisciplinary team of gastrointestinal experts utilize the latest surgical options including minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures. Utilizing laparoscopic cholecystectomy is important because early stage gallbladder cancers are more frequently detected as a result of this procedure. Patients who are found to have gallbladder cancer after laparoscopic cholecystectomy are then evaluated for a second operation where radical removal of the cancer is performed.

Published studies have shown that up to half the patients will have recurrence in their gallbladder bed if a curative surgical procedure is not performed. The type surgery and extent of surgery will depend on the stage of gallbladder cancer detected in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy specimen.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation is most often administered from a source outside the body. As a nationally recognized leader in state-of-the-art radiation therapies, Hoag’s radiation oncology program is yet another example of the institute’s commitment to excellence in innovative cancer treatment.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body killing mostly cancer cells, but also some healthy cells. Chemotherapy is not considered curative for gallbladder cancer, but may relieve symptoms in some patients.

Combined Modality Therapy (CMT)

CMT is a term gaining popularity and meaning several treatments at once or in succession. Although no one has shown that chemotherapy and radiation therapy at the same time are better than radiation therapy alone in the treatment of gallbladder cancer, CMT is better with many other kinds of cancers.

The Most Advanced Treatment Options Are Now Available in Orange County!

When it comes to seeking out the most advanced the most advanced, academic-level gastrointestinal care, there is no longer any need to travel long distances. The Hoag-USC Surgical Center for Digestive Diseases offers the latest in state-of-the-art diagnosis and leading-edge treatment options that may not be readily available at other centers, including participation in clinical trials that helps to bring advanced gastrointestinal care to even more patients.

Perhaps the most distinguishing aspect of Hoag’s advanced treatment of gastrointestinal conditions is that in each and every case, treatment is always specifically tailored to the meet the unique needs of the individual patient.

Experience You Can Trust!

Hoag-USC Surgical Center for Digestive Diseases continues to lead the way in complex gastrointestinal care, providing access to a highly specialized surgical team that works collaboratively with Hoag-affiliated GI and medical oncology specialists. Hoag’s committed to accurate diagnosis, combined with progressive therapeutic options enables Hoag patients to achieve some of the highest clinical outcomes in the nation.

To schedule a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, or a second-opinion consultation with a Hoag gastrointestinal expert, visit Meet the Team, or call us at: 888-566-9712.