Can gallstones lead to gallbladder cancer?

Gallstones are a common but often overlooked health problem. They can remain asymptomatic for years. Meanwhile, gallbladder cancer is a dangerous disease that can be fatal if left untreated.

Gallstones are a condition where stones form in the gallbladder or bile ducts. These stones are formed by the crystallization of bile. Gallstones can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and fever. While gallstones are common, gallbladder cancer is relatively rare, according to the health website Healthline (USA).

Gallstones can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting.

Most people who have gallstones or cholecystitis will not develop gallbladder cancer. However, those who have had gallbladder problems, especially gallstones, have about five times the risk of developing cancer compared to the general population.

The reason is that gallstones cause prolonged inflammation in the gallbladder. This condition, along with the stones obstructing the bile ducts, also damages cells in the gallbladder. Cells that are continuously damaged over a long period of time are more likely to mutate and develop into cancer.

Additionally, having large gallstones or gallstones with unusual compositions, such as black pigment gallstones, also increases the risk of gallbladder cancer.

Gallbladder problems, combined with other risk factors, increase the risk of gallbladder cancer. Specifically, people with a family history of gallbladder cancer, those over 70 years old, or those with conditions such as Crohn's disease or diabetes are more likely to develop gallbladder cancer than the average person.

What can be done to effectively reduce the risk of gallbladder cancer and gallstones?

To reduce the risk of gallbladder cancer, people need to adopt a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight. This will help prevent the formation of gallstones.

A healthy diet should prioritize green vegetables, fruits, and fiber-rich foods, while limiting foods high in fat, especially saturated fats and cholesterol. Overweight and obese individuals should lose weight. Maintaining a healthy weight not only helps prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease but also many other dangerous illnesses.

If gallstones are detected, depending on your health condition, your doctor may recommend treatment or not. In some cases, patients may need surgery to remove the gallbladder, especially if there are signs of cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder). This will help avoid complications and reduce the risk of gallbladder cancer, according to Healthline.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/soi-mat-co-the-dan-den-ung-thu-tui-mat-khong-185241226134837808.htm