No clinics available
At Medijump, we're making medical easy. You can search, compare, discuss, and book your medical all in one place. We open the door to the best medical providers worldwide, saving you time and energy along the way, and it's all for FREE, no hidden fees, and no price markups guaranteed. So what are you waiting for?
Different types of treatments are available to patients with gallbladder cancer. The main types of treatment include surgery, radiation therapy, and treatment to help with symptoms. The type of treatment that is best for you depends on several factors, including the type of gallbladder cancer you have, the stage of cancer, your overall health, and your preferences. During your gallbladder cancer treatment, you will be looked after by a team of doctors who specialize in different aspects of treatment, including a medical oncologist, a radiation oncologist, a gastroenterologist, and a surgeon.
Surgery is the main treatment for early-stage gallbladder cancer. The following are types of surgery performed to treat gallbladder cancer:
Cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder. In some cases, a small amount of liver that surrounds the gallbladder may also be removed (called an extended cholecystectomy).
Radical gallbladder resection involves the removal of the gallbladder, a part of the liver near the gallbladder, all or part of the ligaments between the intestines and the liver, the common bile duct, as well as the lymph nodes around the pancreas and blood vessels near the area.
Surgery is generally performed under general anesthetic, so you will not feel anything throughout the procedure.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays or other particles to destroy cancer cells or to stop them from growing. There are two types of radiation therapy: external and internal. External radiation therapy uses a machine outside of the body, while internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in a device that is placed near or directly into cancer. The most common type of radiation therapy for gallbladder cancer is external radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to stop cancer cells from dividing. It can also kill cancer cells. The drug can be injected into a vein or muscle or taken by mouth. In some cases, the drugs may also be placed directly into the affected organ.
Treatment to help with symptoms
Also known as palliative care, this type of treatment aims to slow down cancer and to help you manage symptoms that may occur. For instance, if your bile ducts are blocked due to advanced gallbladder cancer, your surgeon can place a stent in a duct in order to hold it open or reroute bile ducts around the blockage.
For surgical procedures, you need to stay in the hospital for 1 to 3 days and stay in Colombia for at least 7 to 14 more days for follow-up checkups. For radiation therapy and chemotherapy, your length of stay depends on your treatment plan (how many cycles of therapy you need).
The recovery time for surgical procedures may take 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the type of surgery you underwent and the technique your surgeon used. Side effects after radiation therapy and chemotherapy usually subside within several weeks or months.
Your medical team will give you a set of aftercare instructions after any type of treatment. It is important that you follow all of the instructions carefully to avoid complications. The instructions may include a special diet, light exercises, wound care (for surgical procedures), and restrictions.
Make sure to eat a healthy and balanced diet, avoid bad habits (such as smoking), and exercise regularly after you have recovered. You will also need checkups with your doctor for the rest of your life. Regular medical care is important to stay healthy. Regular checkups are necessary to ensure cancer has not come back.
Gallbladder cancer treatment can be effective and successful. In many cases, treatments may even put you in remission (when cancer cannot be detected in the body and there are no symptoms).
Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy all come with potential risks and side effects. These include infection, bile leakage, and damage to a bile duct, bleeding, swelling, blood clots, heart problems, pneumonia, hematoma, nausea, vomiting, and hair loss.
Some people choose to take part in a clinical trial. A clinical trial is a research study that is used to obtain more information on new treatments or to improve current treatments. Currently, treatments called radiation sensitizers are being tested. Radiation sensitizers include hyperthermia therapy (a treatment in which high temperatures are used to kill cancer cells) and radiosensitizers (a treatment that involves the use of drugs that can make tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy). Patients who take part in clinical treatment help improve the way cancer will be treated in the future.
Before you receive treatment, your gallbladder cancer can cause uncomfortable symptoms, may spread to other parts of the body, and may even become dangerous. After treatment, your chance of surviving the cancer is increased. In some cases, you may even be put in remission, meaning no cancer cells are found in your body.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
Enquire Now
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country in northwestern South America. Since emerging from four decades of civil war, Colombia today has become a safe and rewarding place to visit. This country is blessed with breathtaking beauty, from Caribbean beaches and high Andean peaks to lush Amazon jungle and diverse wildlife, not to mention its gorgeous colonial cities, mysterious archeological sites, and magical culture. In recent years, the popularity of Colombia’s high-quality, internationally recognized medical centers has turned the country into an international medical tourism destination. The country is particularly popular for those who want to undergo top-quality, but affordable cosmetic surgery, such as liposuction and breast augmentation.
Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, is a city of contrasts. Colonial churches stand side by side with modern high-rise buildings, and the culture is a mixture of Spanish, English, and Indian influences. Here, visitors can see the Museo de Oro (Gold Museum), tour Casa de Nariño (the president’s house), visit the Botero Museum, or check out a beautiful view of the city from Monserrate Church. Besides Bogotá, Cartagena is also a popular destination. It is a wonderfully preserved colonial town next to the Caribbean. It is famous for many things, such as its Old Walled City, Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, Playa Blanca, Getsemani, and Plaza de Trinidad.
Due to its proximity to the Equator, Colombia experiences a tropical climate. The average temperatures in the country remain the same all year round, ranging from 17°C to 24°C. There are generally two seasons in the country: the dry season and the wet (rainy) season. The dry season runs from December to January and July to August. The weather during this season is pleasant, with lots of sunny days. However, it can be dusty and windy. The rainy season spans from April to May and October to November. Rain usually comes in the afternoon or at night, while the morning is sunny.
El Dorado international airport is the main airport in Colombia. It connects Bogota with 42 domestic and 46 international destinations, serving 26 different countries across the globe, including France, Mexico, Canada, the US, the UAE, Japan, and the Netherlands. The fastest and most convenient way to get around is by plane, especially when traveling long distances. All major cities are connected by frequent bus services. Long-distance services usually use large, comfortable buses, while shorter distances are covered with vans, sometimes even sedans. To get around in most of the Pacific coast and the Amazon, boats are the only option, though they can be expensive. Inside cities, taxis are widely available and city buses are reliable. Several cities also have cable-car lines and metro train services.
Nationals of 99 countries, including all EU countries, Australia, the US, the UK, and Canada, do not need a visa to visit and stay in Colombia for up to 90 days unless noted otherwise. Citizens of other countries are required to obtain a visa before their visit. The visa is valid for up to 90 days. Colombia has a special temporary visa for medical treatment, which may be granted to a foreigner who needs to undergo medical treatment in Colombia for more than 90 days.