In this stage, the cancer is confined to the superficial layers (mucosa and submucosa) of the gall bladder. Cancers at this limited stage are generally found when the gall bladder is removed because of other problems.
Standard Treatment Experts disagree over the extent of surgery needed for a localized gall bladder cancer. Studies are ongoing, but most experts would recommend:
• removal of the gall bladder
• a lymph node dissection of all the draining lymphatic vessels in the region
• the removal of a wedge of about 1 1/2 in. (4 cm) of apparently normal liver.
Such surgery is the most likely treatment to render a patient cancer-free. If the cancer is not recognized until after surgery, the need for a second operation is considered. A patient with a truly limited cancer (superficial) may just be observed closely, but because of the poor prognosis should the cancer recur, it is difficult to argue against the aggressive approach outlined above.
Five-Year Survival About 80 percent. Those with cancers that are still very small but cause symptoms have a somewhat lower five-year survival rate.
