A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of contracting a disease like cancer. The risk factors for different cancers can vary. Some risk factors, such as smoking, are modifiable. Others, such as a person's age or family history, are irreversible. Scientists have discovered some risk factors that increase the likelihood of gallbladder cancer.
Gallstones
The most common cause of gallbladder cancer is gallstones. Gallstones, which are pebble-like collections of cholesterol and other chemicals that accumulate in the gallbladder and can cause persistent inflammation, are a common problem. Gallstones are found in up to 4 out of 5 persons with gallbladder cancer when they are diagnosed.
Obesity
Gallbladder cancer patients are more likely to be overweight or obese than those who do not have the disease. Obesity is also linked to gallstones, which could explain the connection.
Old Age
Gallbladder cancer is more common in elderly persons, although it can also strike younger people. When persons are diagnosed, they are on average 72 years old. When gallbladder cancer is discovered, most patients are 65 or older.
Gallbladder Polyp
A polyp in the gallbladder is a growth that protrudes from the inner wall of the gallbladder. Cholesterol deposits in the gallbladder wall cause certain polyps to develop, explains a gallbladder cancer doctor. Small tumours (cancer or non-cancer) or inflammation may be the cause of others.
History of Gallbladder Cancer in the Family
A family history of gallbladder cancer appears to raise a person's chances of having the disease, but the risk is still minimal due to the rarity of this disease.
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a disorder in which bile duct inflammation (cholangitis) causes scar tissue to grow (sclerosis). Gallbladder and bile duct cancer are more common in people with PSC. In most cases, the reason for the inflammation is unknown. PSC is frequently associated with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel illness.
Conclusion
Having one or more of these risk factors does not guarantee that a person will develop the disease. Furthermore, many individuals with this condition have little or no established risk factors. If you are predisposed to any of these risk factors and show possible signs of gallbladder cancer, consult a specialist doctor in Kolkata.
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