Yes, gallbladder cancer is a rare form of cancer. It can often be difficult to diagnose as it doesn’t result in many early signs and symptoms. It is typically detected if the gallbladder is being searched for gallstones.
The American Association for Cancer Research reported that around 12,000 people received gallbladder or bile duct cancer diagnoses in 2024.
Your risk for gallbladder cancer can increase if you:
- are between 85 and 89 years old
- are female
- have a family history of gallbladder cancer
- smoke
- have overweight or obesity
- drink alcohol
There are several health conditions that can also increase your risk of developing gallbladder cancer. This includes:
- gallstones and inflammation of the gallbladder
- primary sclerosing cholangitis
- pancreas abnormalities
- gallbladder polyps and cysts
- diabetes
It is important to remember that even with these risk factors, your chance of developing gallbladder cancer is still very small.
Gallbladder cancer is considered to be an aggressive type of cancer. If caught early, surgery may be used to remove the cancer from the gallbladder.
However, if it has spread to nearby organs, then surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy
The outlook for gallbladder cancer can depend on how far the cancer has spread.
The American Cancer Society reports the following
| How far has the cancer spread? | 5-year relative survival rate |
|---|---|
| localized (no sign outside of gallbladder) | 69% |
| regional (spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes) | 28% |
| distant (spread to distant organs) | 3% |
| all stages combined | 20% |
It is important to remember that this information does not take all factors into account, such as your age and overall health.