Gastro: Gallbladder Cancer: Free MSRA Podcast

⚕️FREE MSRA PODCAST –Gallbladder Cancer🎧 A clear, high-yield breakdown of this rare but aggressive biliary tractmalignancy – perfect for exam prep andreal-life clinical scenarios. 🧠Key Learning Points📌Definition• Gallbladder canceris a malignancy arising from the epitheliallining of the gallbladder.• Around 90% are adenocarcinomas.📌Causes & RiskFactors• Chronic gallstones(cholelithiasis)• Chroniccholecystitis• Porcelaingallbladder (calcification of the wall)• Primary sclerosingcholangitis (PSC)• Geneticpredisposition: Lynch syndrome, FAP• Female sex, age>60• Obesity, diabetes,high-fat diet💡Mnemonic:"Go-FOLD" – Gallstones, Older age, Female, Obesity/diabetes, Lifestyle/Inflammation, DNA (genetics)📌Pathophysiology• Chronic irritationleads to dysplasia, which progresses to invasive carcinoma.• Spreads locally tothe liver, bile ducts, duodenum, andlater metastasises to distant sites.📌Symptoms• Often asymptomaticin early stages• Vague abdominalpain (RUQ), indigestion• Late symptoms:jaundice, anorexia, weight loss, vomiting• Advanced cases:palpable mass, hepatomegaly📌DifferentialDiagnosis• Gallstones(cholelithiasis)• Cholecystitis(acute or chronic)• Gallbladder polyps• Cholangiocarcinoma• Biliaryobstruction due to infection or stones📌Diagnosis• Ultrasound – first-line to identify gallbladderabnormalities• CT/MRI – staging and spread• MRCP / EUS – detailed biliary tract imaging• ERCP with biopsy – confirm malignancy• Percutaneous biopsy if required💡Visualise(US/CT/MRI), then Verify (biopsy)📌Management• Surgery is the only potential cureSimple cholecystectomy for very early diseaseExtended cholecystectomy (includes liver tissue and lymph nodes) for most cases • Palliative care if inoperableBiliary stenting to relieve obstruction • Adjuvant chemotherapy/radiotherapy – especially if positive margins or nodal disease💡 Early stage = curative intent; late stage = symptom control📌Complications• Local invasion(bile ducts, liver, duodenum)• Distant metastasis(liver, peritoneum, lungs)• Biliaryobstruction → jaundice• Liver failure• Post-opcomplications: bleeding, infection•Chemotherapy/radiotherapy side effects📌Prognosis• Late diagnosis = poor prognosis• Advanced disease5-year survival: 5–10%• Early resectablecases: much better outcomes• Key prognosticfactors: stage, resection margins, nodal involvement, response to adjuvanttherapy 📎More MSRA Resourcesfor Gallbladder Cancer🎓 Full Course: https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/gastroenterology-for-the-msra/ Hashtags#MSRA #MSRARevision#MSRATextbook #MSRAQuiz #MSRAQuestionBank #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQ&ANotes#MSRAAccordions #MultiSpecialtyRecruitmentAssessment #MSRAOnlineRevision#MSRARevisionWebsite #GallbladderCancer