Chennai: Most commonly known as a disease of the West, gall bladder cancer is now affecting an increasing number of south Indians. Unlike other cancers, it cannot be cured through chemotherapy.
Doctors also claim that the disease affects more women than men. According to Dr T Balachander, senior consultant gastroenterologist, those patients who have gall bladder stones should also check for gall bladder cancer in case the stones are symptomatic.
Those with smaller stones face the risk of the stones entering the bile duct and blocking it. While one of the main causes for the disease is obesity, doctors also said that those living in the Gangetic region in northern India are more prone to the disease, probably as water in that area contains many chemicals which could cause this cancer. He also said that when diabetic patients develop stones, immediate surgery is essential.
While all doctors advise patients to get early diagnosis, this is more important for gall bladder cancer because it spreads at a great speed, “Chemotherapy is not effective at all. Surgery is the only solution and if it’s too advanced, we cannot operate,” said Balachander. Speaking at a programme to promote a one-day conference on the issue, Dr P.K Reddy said that surgery is laparoscopic and this is less invasive and a more cosmetically accepted surgery.
