Gallbladder Cancer Treatment in Israel

Gallbladder cancer is an extremely rare disease of the digestive tract, more common in women than in men. Its causes include age, family history, gallstones, porcelain gallbladder, choledochal cysts, gallbladder polyps and exposure to certain chemicals (such as nitrosamines). Common symptoms include abdominal pain and bloating, weight loss, jaundice, nausea and fever.

Gallbladder Cancer treatment Program

Screening

• Extended blood tests (CBC, SMAC, electrolyte levels, lipid profile, tumor markers, pancreatic enzymes, hemoglobin A1C)
• Ultrasound of abdomen and abdominal vascular Doppler
• Abdominal CT
• MRI of the abdomen before and after administration of FDG
• Optional: MRCP (magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography)
• PET CT of the body (Positron Emission Tomography complements CT and MRI / MRCP and eliminates metastatic developments)
• There is also a consultation of the gastroenterologist and/or gastro-oncologist.

Screening can be completed within 5 working days.

Once all the medical examinations have been completed an abdominal surgeon consultation is scheduled.

Treatment

• If no mets have been detected, the treatment of choice is laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) with lymph nodes dissection. Cost of operation includes 2 days of hospitalization, express histopathology of bladder tissue and lymph nodes during surgery, as well as final histopathology of the tumor
• In case the tumor has metastasized, the initial stage of treatment will involve chemotherapy