Gallbladder cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that begins in the gallbladder. Your gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of your abdomen, just beneath your liver. The gallbladder stores bile, a digestive fluid produced by your liver. Gallbladder cancer is uncommon. When gallbladder cancer is discovered at its earliest stages, the chance for a cure is very good. But most gallbladder cancers are discovered at a late stage, when the prognosis is often very poor. Gallbladder cancer may not be discovered until it’s advanced because it often causes no specific signs or symptoms. Also, the relatively hidden nature of the gallbladder makes it easier for gallbladder cancer to grow without being detected. Early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. For expert gallbladder cancer diagnosis and treatment in Pune, consult Dr. Ujwal Zambare, the Best Gastroenterologist & Gallbladder Cancer Specialist in Wakad, Pune. Symptoms Gallbladder cancer signs and symptoms may include: Abdominal pain, particularly in the upper right portion of the abdomen Abdominal bloating Losing weight without trying Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) Causes It’s not clear what causes gallbladder cancer. Doctors know that gallbladder cancer forms when healthy gallbladder cells develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. A cell’s DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do. The changes tell the cells to grow out of control and to continue living when other cells would normally die. The accumulating cells form a tumor that can grow beyond the gallbladder and spread to other areas of the body. Most gallbladder cancer begins in the glandular cells that line the inner surface of the gallbladder. Gallbladder cancer that begins in this type of cell is called adenocarcinoma. This term refers to the way the cancer cells appear when examined under a microscope. Risk Factors Your sex. Gallbladder cancer is more common in women. Your age. Your risk of gallbladder cancer increases as you age. A history of gallstones. Gallbladder cancer is most common in people who have gallstones or have had gallstones in the past. Larger gallstones may carry a larger risk. Still, gallstones are very common and even in people with this condition, gallbladder cancer is very rare. Other gallbladder diseases and conditions. Other gallbladder conditions that can increase the risk of gallbladder cancer include polyps, chronic inflammation and infection. Inflammation of the bile ducts. Primary sclerosing cholangitis, which causes inflammation of the ducts that drain bile from the gallbladder and liver, increases the risk of gallbladder cancer. Prevention Get to and stay at a healthy weight Keep physically active and limit the time you spend sitting or lying down Follow a healthy eating pattern that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and limits or avoids red and processed meats, sugary drinks, and highly processed foods It’s best not to drink alcohol. If you do drink, have no more than 1 drink per day for women or 2 per day for men. You should consult a gallbladder cancer specialist if you experience persistent upper right abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), nausea, vomiting, bloating, dark urine, pale stools, or chronic digestive issues that don’t improve with treatment. Since gallbladder cancer often shows no early symptoms and is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, early consultation is crucial for better treatment outcomes. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or have risk factors, seek expert care from Dr. Ujwal Zambare, the Best Gastroenterologist & Gallbladder Cancer Specialist in Wakad, Pune, for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Spleen The spleen is an organ in the upper far left part of the abdomen, to the left of the stomach. The spleen varies in size and shape between people, but it’s commonly fist-shaped, purple, and about 4 inches long. Because the spleen is protected by the rib cage, you can’t easily feel it unless it’s abnormally enlarged.

Appendix The appendix is a narrow, finger-shaped pouch that projects out from the colon. Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes inflamed and filled with pus. Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a finger-shaped pouch that projects from your colon on the lower right side of your abdomen.

Stomach The stomach is a muscular organ located on the left side of the upper abdomen. The stomach receives food from the esophagus. As food reaches the end of the esophagus, it enters the stomach through a muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter.

Chronic pancreatitis is a long-term inflammation of the pancreas that does not heal over time. The pancreas, located behind the stomach, plays a vital role in digestion by producing enzymes and regulates blood sugar levels through hormone production. This condition develops when repeated inflammation damages the pancreas, leading to persistent symptoms over months or years. Unlike acute pancreatitis, which occurs suddenly and resolves quickly, chronic pancreatitis can cause ongoing pain, digestive issues, and complications if left untreated. For expert chronic pancreatitis treatment in Wakad, Pune, consult Dr. Ujwal Zambare, the Best Gastroenterologist & Pancreas Specialist. What Causes Chronic Pancreatitis? There are numerous different causes of chronic pancreatitis. The most common cause is long-term alcohol abuse. Approximately 70 percent of cases are linked to alcohol consumption. Autoimmune disease occurs when your body mistakenly attacks your healthy cells and tissues. Inflammatory bowel syndrome, which is inflammation of the digestive tract, and primary biliary cholangitis, which is a chronic liver disease associated with chronic pancreatitis. Autoimmune disease, which occurs when your body mistakenly attacks your healthy cells and tissues A narrow pancreatic duct, which is the tube that carries enzymes from the pancreas to the small intestine A blockage of the pancreatic duct by either gallstones or pancreatic stones Cystic fibrosis, which is a hereditary disease that causes mucus to build up in your lungs Genetics High blood levels of calcium, which is called hypercalcemia Who Is at Risk for Getting Chronic Pancreatitis? Abusing alcohol increases your risk of developing chronic pancreatitis. Smoking is believed to increase the risk of pancreatitis among alcoholics. In some cases, a family history of chronic pancreatitis can increase your risk. Chronic pancreatitis most frequently develops in people between the ages of 30 and 40. The condition is also more common among men than women. What Are the Symptoms of Chronic Pancreatitis? Pain in your upper abdomen Diarrhea Fatty stools, which are loose, pale, and don’t flush away easily Nausea and vomiting Shortness of breath Unexplained weight loss Excessive thirst and fatigue How Is Chronic Pancreatitis Diagnosed? During the early stages of chronic pancreatitis, changes in your pancreas are difficult to see in blood tests. For this reason, blood tests typically aren’t used to diagnose the disease. However, they may be used to determine the amount of pancreatic enzymes in your blood. Blood tests may also be used to check blood cell counts along with kidney and liver function. Your doctor might ask you for a stool sample to test for levels of fat. Fatty stools could be a sign that your body isn’t absorbing nutrients correctly. How Is Chronic Pancreatitis Treated? Treatment for chronic pancreatitis focuses on reducing your pain and improving your digestive function. The damage to your pancreas can’t be undone, but with the proper care, you should be able to manage many of your symptoms. Treatment for pancreatitis can include medication, endoscopic therapies, or surgery. Medications pain medication artificial digestive enzymes if your enzyme levels are too low to digest food normally insulin if you have diabetes steroids if you have autoimmune pancreatitis, which occurs when your body’s immune system attacks your pancreas Endoscopy Some treatments use an endoscope to reduce pain and get rid of blockages. An endoscope is a long, flexible tube that your doctor inserts through your mouth. It allows your doctor to remove pancreatic stones, place small tubes called stents to improve flow, and close leaks.

Acute Pancreatitis Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas, causing severe abdominal pain. While mild cases improve within a few days, severe cases can lead to serious complications. The most common causes include gallstones and excessive alcohol consumption. The pancreas, located behind the stomach, plays a crucial role in digestion by producing enzymes and regulates blood sugar through hormone production, including insulin. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent complications. For expert acute pancreatitis treatment in Wakad, Pune, consult Dr. Ujwal Zambare, the Best Gastroenterologist & Pancreas Specialist. Symptoms of Acute Pancreatitis Tummy (abdominal) pain, just below the ribs, is the usual main symptom. It usually builds up quickly (over a few hours) and may last for several days. The pain can become severe and is typically felt spreading through to the back. The pain may be sudden and intense, or it may begin as a mild pain that is aggravated by eating and slowly grows worse. However, it is occasionally possible to have acute pancreatitis without any pain. This is more common if you have diabetes or have kidney problems. Being sick (vomiting), a high temperature (fever) and generally feeling very unwell are common. Your abdomen may become swollen. If the pancreatitis becomes severe and other organs become involved (for example, your heart, lungs or kidneys) then various other symptoms may develop. You may become lacking in fluid in the body (dehydrated) and have low blood pressure. Complications of Acute Pancreatitis The main complications of acute pancreatitis are Pancreatic pseudocyst – A pancreatic pseudocyst is a collection of fluid containing pancreatic enzymes that forms in and around the pancreas. The pseudocyst goes away spontaneously in some people. In other people, the pseudocyst does not go away and can become infected. Necrotizing pancreatitis – may occur in severe acute pancreatitis. In necrotizing pancreatitis, parts of the pancreas may die and body fluid may escape into the abdominal cavity, which decreases blood volume and results in a large drop in blood pressure, possibly causing shock and organ failure. Severe acute pancreatitis can be life threatening. Infection of the pancreas – Infection of an inflamed pancreas is a risk, particularly in people who have necrotizing pancreatitis. Sometimes, a doctor suspects an infection when a person’s condition worsens and a fever develops, especially if this happens after the person’s first symptoms started to subside. Organ failure – can occur in acute pancreatitis because damage to the pancreas may permit activated enzymes and toxins such as cytokines to enter the bloodstream and cause low blood pressure and damage to other organs such as the lungs and kidneys. This damage can cause some people who have acute pancreatitis to develop failure of other organs, including the kidneys, lungs, or heart, and this failure can lead to death. Causes of Acute Pancreatitis The most common causes (more than 70% of cases) of acute pancreatitis are Gallstones – Gallstones cause about 40% of cases of acute pancreatitis. Gallstones are collections of solid material in the gallbladder . These stones sometimes pass into and block the duct that the gallbladder shares with the pancreas (called the common bile duct). Normally, the pancreas secretes pancreatic fluid through the pancreatic duct into the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). This pancreatic fluid contains digestive enzymes that help digest food. If a gallstone becomes stuck in the sphincter of Oddi (the opening where the pancreatic duct empties into the duodenum), pancreatic fluid stops flowing. Usually, the blockage is temporary and causes limited damage, which is soon repaired. But if the blockage remains, the enzymes collect in the pancreas and begin to digest the cells of the pancreas, causing severe inflammation. Alcohol use – Alcohol use causes about 30% of cases of acute pancreatitis. The risk of developing pancreatitis increases with increasing amounts of alcohol (4 to 7 drinks per day in men and 3 or more drinks per day in women). However, less than 10% of people who frequently consume alcohol develop acute pancreatitis, which suggests additional triggers or other factors are needed for pancreatitis to develop. How alcohol causes pancreatitis is not fully understood. One theory is that alcohol is converted into toxic chemicals in the pancreas that cause damage. Another theory is that alcohol may cause the small ductules in the pancreas that drain into the pancreatic duct to clog, eventually causing acute pancreatitis. Drugs such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, azathioprine, furosemide, 6-mercaptopurine, pentamidine, sulfa drugs, and valproate Estrogen use in women with high levels of lipids in the blood High levels of calcium in the blood Diagnosis of Acute Pancreatitis

The pancreas is a gland, about six inches long, located in the abdomen. It is shaped like a flat pear and is surrounded by the stomach, small intestine, liver, spleen and gallbladder. The wide end of the pancreas on the right side of the body is called the head. The middle sections are the neck and body. The thin end of the pancreas on the left side of the body is called the tail. The uncinate process is the part of the gland that bends backwards and underneath the head of the pancreas. Two very important blood vessels, the superior mesenteric artery and superior mesenteric vein, cross behind the neck of the pancreas and in front of the uncinate process. The pancreas is both an exocrine gland and endocrine gland and has two main functions – digestion and blood sugar regulation. For advanced pancreatic disease diagnosis and treatment in Pune, consult Dr. Ujwal Zambare, the Best Gastroenterologist & Pancreas Specialist in Wakad, Pune. Pancreas Conditions Diabetes, type 1: The body’s immune system attacks and destroys the pancreas’ insulin-producing cells. Lifelong insulin injections are required to control blood sugar. Diabetes, type 2: The body becomes resistant to insulin, causing blood sugar rises. The pancreas eventually loses the ability to appropriately produce and release insulin, leading to a need for synthetic insulin. Cystic fibrosis: A genetic disorder that affects multiple body systems, usually including the lungs and the pancreas. Digestive problems and diabetes often result. Pancreatic cancer: The pancreas has many different types of cells, each of which can give rise to a different type of tumor. The most common type arises from the cells that line the pancreatic duct. Because there are usually few or no early symptoms, pancreatic cancer is often advanced by the time it’s discovered. Pancreatitis: The pancreas becomes inflamed and damaged by its own digestive chemicals. Swelling and death of tissue of the pancreas can result. Although alcohol or gallstones can contribute, sometimes a cause for pancreatitis is never found. Islet cell tumor: The hormone-producing cells of the pancreas multiply abnormally, creating a benign or cancerous tumor. These tumors produce excess amounts of hormones and then release them into the blood. Gastrinomas, glucagonomas, and insulinomas are examples of islet cell tumors. Enlarged pancreas: An enlarged pancreas is rare. It may be a harmless anatomic abnormality or it may be a sign of autoimmune pancreatitis. Pancreas Tests Physical examination: By pressing on the center of the belly, a doctor might check for masses or abdominal pain. They can also look for other signs of pancreas conditions. Pancreatic pain often radiates to the back. Abdominal ultrasound: An abdominal ultrasound can detect gallstones that might block the outflow of fluid from the pancreas. It also can show an abscess or a pancreatic pseudocyst. Computed tomography scan: A CT scanner takes multiple X-rays, and a computer creates detailed images of the pancreas and abdomen. Contrast dye may be injected into your veins to improve the images. This imaging test can help assess the health of the pancreas. A CT scan can identify complications of pancreatic disease such as fluid around the pancreas, an enclosed infection (abscess), or a collection of tissue, fluid, and pancreatic enzymes (pancreatic pseudocyst). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Magnetic waves create highly detailed images of the abdomen. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is an MRI that focuses on the pancreas, liver, and bile system. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): Using a camera on a flexible tube advanced from the mouth to the intestine, a doctor can access the area of the pancreas head. Tiny surgical tools can be used to diagnose and treat some pancreas conditions. Sweat chloride test: A painless electric current stimulates the skin to sweat, and the chloride in perspiration is measured. People with cystic fibrosis often have high sweat chloride levels. Pancreas Treatments Physical examina Insulin: Injecting insulin under the skin causes body tissues to absorb glucose, lowering blood sugar. Insulin can be created in a lab or purified from animal sources. Pseudocyst drainage: A pseudocyst can be drained by inserting a tube or needle through the skin into the pseudocyst. Alternately, a small tube or stent is placed between either the pseudocyst and the stomach or the small intestine, draining the cyst. Pseudocyst surgery: Sometimes, surgery is necessary to remove a pseudocyst. Either laparoscopy (multiple small incisions) or laparotomy (one larger incision) may be needed. Pancreatic cancer resection (Whipple procedure): The standard surgery to remove pancreatic cancer. In a Whipple procedure, a surgeon removes the head of the pancreas, the gallbladder, and the first section of the small intestine (the duodenum). Occasionally, a small part of the stomach is also removed.

This operation is necessary to remove the area of bowel that is diseased. The operation removes a piece of your bowel and rectum. A cut will be made in your abdomen (tummy). The surgeon will remove the diseased area of bowel and a length of normal bowel either side of it