What causes gall bladder cancer?
Gall bladder cancer is the most common biliary malignancy in Central & South America (Native American Indians, Hispanics), parts of Eastern Europe (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia), Japan, and northern parts of India. Underlying genetic predisposition or dietary factors may be the reason for this. Gallstones are, perhaps, the single most important risk factor for gall bladder cancer, though the mechanism is unclear. Usually patients with large stones of long duration are at increased risk for cancer. Calcium deposits in the wall of the gall-bladder, such as Porcelain gall bladder, also increases the risk of gall bladder cancer. Chronic Salmonella infection of the gall bladder, which predisposes to gall stone formation, also predisposes to gall bladder cancer. Patients with abnormalities at the point where the pancreatic and bile ducts join and enter the bowel are also known to be at increased risk for gall bladder cancer. Sometimes patients are found to have polyps (little growths) on
