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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 Ireland 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
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Ireland, also known as the Republic of Ireland, is a country located in north-western Europe that occupies 26 of 32 counties on the island of Ireland. The country’s breath-taking landscape, wonderful people, and fascinating history have made it an unforgettable destination for many visitors. Aside from its beauty, more and more people also come to Ireland for high-quality healthcare. The country is a newcomer to the medical tourism market. However, it’s seen as an increasingly attractive destination due to the reasonably priced and high standard of clinical care available in the country. Most foreign patients come for cosmetic surgery and dental treatments, but many hospitals and clinics in the country offer a wide variety of services, such as cardiology, pathology, pulmonary, and gynecology. Also, the Joint Commission International has accredited several hospitals in the country, most of which are located in Dublin.
Ireland’s capital and largest city, Dublin, is the most popular tourist destination within the country. In fact, it’s the fourth most visited European capital. It’s filled with excellent pubs serving the perfect pint of Guinness, amazing Georgian architecture, and layers of fascinating history. Tourists in this city usually visit the Guinness Storehouse Factory, tour the Old Jameson Distillery, admire the Spire of Dublin, explore Dublin Castle, and marvel at the beauty of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Another famous city is Cork, which is the second-largest city in the country. It’s a youthful cosmopolitan city packed with artisan coffee bars and snug pubs. Tourists usually come to kiss the Blarney Stone for good luck, enjoy the coastal landscape in Mizen Head, or hike around Gougane Barra. Other popular cities and towns include Galway, Killarney, Kilkenny, and Letterkenny.
The main airport in Ireland is Dublin Airport. It connects the country with numerous cities around the world, including New York, Abu Dhabi, and Hong Kong. Trains and buses are available to travel around the country. However, public transportation is generally sparse in rural areas. Therefore, renting a car is the best mode of transport. Taxis and Uber are available to travel inside major cities.
Ireland has opted out of the Schengen Area. The country allows all EU citizens, as well as citizens of 56 other countries (such as the UAE and the US), to stay without a visa for up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries are required to apply for a visa in advance.
Summer (June – September) provides plenty of sunshine and lower levels of rainfall, with an average temperature of 14°C - 16°C. Winter (October – February) is chilly, with ample rainfall and some snow. Spring and autumn are generally pleasant, with warmer temperatures and more sunshine.