Gallbladder Cancer- Ultrasound

ULTRASOUND is the first imaging test done, to ascertain gallbladder cancer in people who are showing symptoms such as pain in the abdomen or have jaundice.

• Ultrasound is a very simple test. 
• No radiation. 
• Cost -effective.
• Absolutely painless and harmless

The patient is made to lie on the bed and gel is applied on the abdomen. A wand like object known as the transducer is moved along the skin. The transducer sends sound waves and picks up the echoes as they bounce back from the organs. These echoes are then converted into images by the computer.

These images can  help the doctor to determine how far the cancer has spread to the nearby organs. And if surgery is possible.

Endoscopic and Laparoscopic ultrasound: A transducer is inserted in the body close to the gallbladder to get more detailed images as compared. A thin tube with transducer, attached with a viewing device is inserted through mouth( Endoscopic ultrasound) or a incision in the stomach (Laparoscopic ultrasound).

In case of tumor, ultrasound can help determine how far it has gone in the gallbladder walls. Or if the nearby lymph nodes have been affected.

Ultrasound can be used to guide a needle to help remove the cells (biopsied) from the affected area (lymph node) and be scanned under the microscope. This process is known as an ultrasound biopsy.

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