The gallbladder is a small pouch that sits just under the liver. The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver. The gallbladder stores bile that is produced by the liver and removes water and salt from it. It contracts when we eat, especially fatty food and pushes bile down the bile duct into the intestine.
Gallbladder cancer is cancer that begins in the gallbladder. It is uncommon in most parts of the world but not in India. Here it is fairly common especially in the northern parts of India & the Gangetic belt. When gallbladder cancer is discovered at its earliest stages, the chance for a cure is very good. But most gallbladder cancers are discovered at not so early or late stage, when prognosis is often very poor. Gallbladder cancer is difficult to diagnose because it often causes no signs or symptoms. Also, the relatively hidden nature of the gallbladder makes it easier for gallbladder cancer to grow without being detected.
It’s not clear what causes gallbladder cancer. Doctors know that gallbladder cancer forms when healthy gallbladder cells develop changes in their genes (mutation). These mutations cause cells to grow out of control and to continue living when other cells would normally die. The accumulating cells form a tumor that can grow beyond the gallbladder and spread to other areas of the body. Most gallbladder cancer begins in the cells that line the inner surface of the gallbladder. Gallbladder cancer that begins in this type of cell is most commonly called adenocarcinoma. This term refers to the way the cancer cells appear when examined under a microscope. Gallbladder cancer is more common in women than it is in men & your risk of gallbladder cancer increases as you age. There are a number of risk factors that may increase your chances of developing this type of cancer.
The treatment of gall bladder cancer is difficult because of late diagnosis and advanced stage of disease at the time of diagnosis since the disease easily involves surrounding organs and important indispensable arteries and veins. The best treatment for gall bladder cancer is surgery to remove the cancer (resection) by a specialist hepatobiliary surgeon. However this is possible only when the cancer is not spread to other tissues like liver, peritoneum, lungs, and bone etcetera.
Not all patients are lucky enough to undergo a curative surgery for various reasons and these patients undergo various palliative therapies. (Treatments that palliate or reduce complaints but don’t cure the patient)
Dr. D. R. Kulkarni is an eminent Gallbladder Cancer doctor in Mumbai, India - He is a Consultant HPB Surgeon at many renowned hospitals in Mumbai for last 12+ years.
He earned his medical degree from Mumbai University and began his surgical career at B. Y. L.Nair Municipal Hospital, Mumbai. After post-graduation in General Surgery, Dr. Kulkarni worked in the capacity of Lecturer with the same department and then proceeded for advanced training in HPB Surgery and Liver Transplantation to Hong Kong and later to Paris. Read more >>
84 year old gentleman with a suspicious gall bladder- liver mass, gall stones & mild jaundice was operated. Biopsies and blood tumor marker levels (CA19-9) were normal on multiple occasions. Hence a decision of surgery was taken after counseling the family. Repeat biopsy was done during the surgery. It also showed only inflammation. Hence the entire mass including gall bladder, portion of liver, part of colon, lymph nodes and bile duct was removed. The final histopathology showed xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis; a pathology that mimics cancer. The patient is now 90 year old. Read more...
Timing: Monday To Friday - 9am To 5pm & Saturday 9am To 2pm
(Consultation Only by Appointment)
Address: Lilavati Hospital, A-791, Bandra Reclamation Rd, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Timing: Saturday 9am To 10am
(Consultation Only by Appointment)
Address: August Kranti Rd, Kemps Corner, Cumballa Hill, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400036
Consultation Only by Appointment)
Address: Raheja Rugnalaya Marg, Mahim West, Mahim, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400016
In view of the ongoing COVID problems, we have started the facility of consultation on what’s app (video / chat) for the benefit of patients who are not in a position to travel immediately in COVID times or those who are stable at home. This is a temporary arrangement. This form of consultation has its limitations since physical examination is not possible and this fact should be noted. The consultation charges are Rs 3000/- . The charges are to be transferred to the account details given below after the appointment is confirmed but before the consultation begins.
Account Details |
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Name: | Dattaprasanna Kulkarni |
Account Number: | 315602011003180 |
Bank: | Union Bank Of India |
Branch: | Hill Road Branch Bandra West Mumbai 400050 |
IFSC: | UBIN0531561 |
For appointment send a request on what’s app number
9821046391