Gallbladder Cancer Risks

Several factors may increase your risk of developing gallbladder cancer, although the exact cause of the disease isn’t known. Understanding these risk factors can help you recognize your individual risk and know when to talk with your health care provider about your concerns.

What are the risk factors for gallbladder cancer?

Gallbladder cancer occurs when cells multiply too fast and grow into a tumor. It’s not clear what causes the disease, but several risk factors for gallbladder cancer increase your chances of developing it. 

Even though you can’t control all the risk factors, when you know about them you can pay closer attention to your health. 

The most common risk factors include:

• Age: People over age 65 are at higher risk.
• Gender: Women are more likely than men to develop the disease.
• Family history: A family history of gallbladder cancer increases your risk and some hereditary conditions (such as Lynch syndrome) can increase the risk of cancers in the digestive tract, including the gallbladder. Inherited mutations are rare, but some gene mutations may play a role in gallbladder cancer.
• Gallstones: Gallstones form when substances like cholesterol harden inside the gallbladder. Most people with gallbladder cancer have gallstones. Chronic gallstones increase your cancer risk, since they can cause irritation, inflammation and cell changes in the gallbladder. However, gallstones are common but gallbladder cancer is rare.
• Other gallbladder conditions: Polyps, infection and conditions like chronic cholecystitis, where bile gets trapped in your gallbladder, may cause inflammation and increase cancer risk.
• Bile duct inflammation: Called primary sclerosing cholangitis, this condition increases your risk. 
• Infection: The bacteria that causes salmonella increases your risk.
• Obesity: Being overweight or obese is linked to higher risk.
• Geographic location: Gallbladder cancer is more common in South America and Asia. In the U.S., it’s more common in Mexican Americans, Latin Americans and Native Americans.
• Ethnicity: Native Americans have a higher rate of gallbladder cancer.
• Bile duct abnormalities: Abnormalities of the bile ducts that you could be born with or develop, such as choledochal cysts, increase your risk.
• Porcelain gallbladder: This condition, where the gallbladder walls are hard and rigid from calcium buildup, increases the risk of cancer.
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis: Scarring and inflammation of the bile ducts can increase risk.
• Workplace exposure: Some jobs that involve exposure to chemicals, such as in the rubber and textile industries, have been linked to higher risk.

Gallbladder cancer prevention tips

You can't fully eliminate your risk of gallbladder cancer, but these lifestyle changes can help reduce it:

• Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity is a known risk factor for gallbladder cancer.
• Avoid smoking: Smoking is linked to many cancers, including gallbladder cancer. 
• Manage gallstones: If you have gallstones or a history of gallbladder inflammation, work with your health care provider to manage these conditions.
• Eat a healthy diet: A balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help reduce your overall cancer risk.
• Limit alcohol consumption: Limiting or avoiding alcohol can help maintain liver and digestive health.
• Get regular check-ups: Regular health screenings and discussions with a provider about risks are important for helping to prevent gallbladder cancer.

Knowing about the symptoms and types of gallbladder cancer can lead to an earlier diagnosis. Learn about the signs and types of gallbladder cancer. 

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