Dr. Shivpal Saini gallbladder cancer specialist, “gallbladder carcinoma symptoms & risk factors”, “treatment options in Jaipur.
Gallbladder Carcinoma: Understanding, Diagnosis, and Treatment
What Is Gallbladder Carcinoma?
A rare malignancy arising from the lining (usually adenocarcinoma) of the gallbladder.
Common risk factors include gallstones, chronic cholecystitis, obesity, female gender, and chronic infection (e.g. Salmonella typhi carriers)
Symptoms
Frequently asymptomatic in early stages.
When symptoms appear: upper right abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin/eyes)
Diagnosis & Staging
Evaluated via ultrasound, CT scan, MRI/MRCP, or endoscopic ultrasound.
Definitive confirmation through biopsy/histopathology after imaging or incidental cholecystectomy
TNM staging ranges from Tis (in situ) through T4 (invasion into major vessels or multiple organs), with lymph node status (N0–N2) and metastasis (M0/M1) influencing staging groups Stage 0–IVB
Treatment Approaches
Resectable Disease (Stages I–III)
T1a tumors: treated with simple cholecystectomy—excellent prognosis (~100% 5‑year survival)
T1b and T2 tumors: require extended/radical cholecystectomy including resection of adjacent liver segments (IVB & V) and portal lymphadenectomy to achieve negative margins (R0)
T3 or higher: may need multivisceral resections; careful evaluation is essential as aggressive surgery may increase risks and may or may not improve survival
Unresectable or Advanced Disease (Stage IV / Metastatic)
Focus shifts to palliative care: biliary stenting or drainage to relieve jaundice, symptomatic radiation, and systemic therapy
Chemotherapy, typically cisplatin + gemcitabine, improves survival; immunotherapy (e.g., durvalumab or pembrolizumab) is increasingly incorporated, especially in MSI‑High or dMMR tumors.
Molecular profiling (e.g., testing for IDH1 mutations, FGFR2 fusions) may open eligibility for targeted therapies in clinical trials.
Adjuvant Therapy
Chemotherapy (e.g., capecitabine) or chemoradiotherapy is recommended after surgery if margins are positive, lymph nodes are involved, or tumor is T2+. The best benefit has been seen in node-positive and T2/T3 disease.
Radiation therapy is offered predominantly for margin-positive resections or to reduce local recurrence risk (~40–60 Gy doses delivered to the operative bed and lymph nodes).
Follow‑up Protocol
Close follow‑up is vital due to high recurrence rates (~60% recur even after R0 surgery).
Recommended schedule: every 3 months for the first 2 years, then semi‑annual visits up to 5 years, then annual thereafter. Typically includes physical exams, imaging, CA 19‑9 markers, and liver function tests.
Meet Dr. Shivpal Saini — Jaipur’s Expert in Gallbladder Carcinoma Surgery
Dr. Shivpal Saini, MCh (Surgical Oncology) from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai (after MBBS & MS from AIIMS New Delhi), is recognized as one of Jaipur’s top oncologic surgeons
Practicing at HCG Cancer Centre, Jaipur, he is known for gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, and pancreaticobiliary surgeries, including complex resections and extended radical cholecystectomies for gallbladder cancer.
He has performed over 1,400 oncologic surgeries and has published on extended resections in gallbladder cancer, demonstrating both safety and feasibility in advanced tumor cases.
Why Dr. Shivpal Saini Stands Out for Gallbladder Carcinoma
Expertise in complex hepatopancreatobiliary oncology, including up-to-date surgical techniques.
Evidence-based approach aligned with national and international guidelines (radical cholecystectomy with lymphadenectomy, margin analysis, and thoughtful adjuvant protocols).
A comprehensive treatment philosophy combining surgery, pathological staging, adjuvant therapy, molecular profiling, and personalized multidisciplinary care.
Availability at a leading cancer centre in Jaipur, making world-class care accessible locally.
Final Thoughts
Gallbladder carcinoma remains challenging due to late detection and aggressive progression. However, early-stage disease (T1a) offers very high survival with cholecystectomy alone, while T1b+ tumors benefit significantly from extended surgery with lymphadenectomy and carefully chosen adjuvant therapies.
For patients in Jaipur seeking leading expertise in the surgical management of gallbladder cancer, Dr. Shivpal Saini at HCG Cancer Centre, Jaipur, represents a top choice, combining high surgical volume, academic insight, and comprehensive oncologic care.