Conditions · Gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder cancer is uncommon but is the most prevalent malignancy of the biliary tract worldwide. Professor Tom Hugh provides specialist hepatobiliary assessment in St Leonards, with surgery at Royal North Shore Hospital and North Shore Private Hospital when appropriate.

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Uncommon

Australian incidence varies by age and sex

Gallstones

A major recognised risk factor

Resection

Main prospect of cure for selected disease

MDT

Complex cases discussed in cancer teams

Page last reviewed July 2026. Figures below summarise published epidemiology and symptom ranges used in specialist practice summaries.

/ 01Overview

What is gallbladder cancer?

Gallbladder cancer is uncommon in Australia. Rates vary by age, sex, geography and population, and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare or Cancer Institute NSW data should be used for current local estimates.

Main risk factors include:

Long-standing gallstones
Chronic biliary tract infections
Female sex
Large gallbladder polyps
Anomalous pancreato-biliary duct junction

/ 02Symptoms

Why is early diagnosis difficult?

Symptoms are often non-specific. Presentation can resemble biliary colic or cholecystitis, so GBC is sometimes diagnosed incidentally after routine cholecystectomy for presumed benign disease. Aggressive local spread means many cases are found at an advanced stage.

Persistent right upper abdominal or central upper abdominal pain
Jaundice
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite
Unintentional weight loss

Treatment depends on stage and may include complete resection for selected resectable disease, systemic treatment, biliary drainage and supportive care. Prognosis varies substantially with stage, tumour biology and general health.

/ 03Bile duct cancer

What about cancer in the bile duct (cholangiocarcinoma)?

Cancer can develop in any part of the bile duct. Location guides treatment: extrahepatic disease may need duct excision with local lymph nodes; hilar (Klatskin) tumours and peripheral intrahepatic tumours often require liver resection when operable.

Postoperative chemotherapy is commonly used. When the cancer cannot be removed, bile drainage may be restored with a stent through the narrowed duct, and palliative chemotherapy may be offered. Care is coordinated through multidisciplinary teams listed on Professor Hugh’s about page.

/ 04Common questions

Gallbladder cancer is uncommon in Australia. Incidence varies substantially between populations, so current Australian cancer data is the appropriate source for local estimates.

Early symptoms are non-specific and can resemble biliary colic or cholecystitis. Some cancers are found incidentally after cholecystectomy for presumed benign disease. Advanced disease at diagnosis is associated with a poorer prognosis.

Complete surgical resection offers the main prospect of cure for selected resectable disease. Staging, general health and multidisciplinary review determine whether surgery and other treatments are appropriate.

Cholangiocarcinoma can arise outside the liver, at the liver hilum (Klatskin tumour), or within the liver. Treatment may involve duct excision with lymph nodes, liver resection, stenting for drainage, and chemotherapy depending on location and stage.