Gallbladder Cancer: Therapy

General measures

  • Limited alcohol consumption (men: max. 25 g alcohol per day; women: max. 12 g alcohol per day).
  • Aim for normal weight! Determination of BMI (Body Mass Index, body mass index) or body composition by means of electrical impedance analysis and, if necessary, participation in a medically supervised weight loss program.
    • BMI ≥ 25 → participation in a medically supervised weight loss program.

Vaccinations

The following vaccinations are advised:

  • Flu vaccination
  • Pneumococcal vaccination

Conventional non-surgical therapy methods

  • Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT; to reduce tumor mass before planned surgery) may be considered.
  • For inoperable tumors, palliative measures (treatment that does not aim to cure an existing underlying disease) may provide relief:
    • Stents (medical implant placed in hollow organs to keep them open) to bridge the tumor site.
    • PTCD (percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage) – insertion of a drainage catheter into the bile ducts (biliary drainage), through which accumulated bile is drained to the outside of the body
  • Pain therapy

Nutritional medicine

  • Nutritional counseling based on nutritional analysis
  • Nutritional recommendations according to a mixed diet, taking into account the general knowledge of nutrition in a tumor disease. This means:
    • Consume only limited energy-rich foods.
    • Moderate total fat intake
    • Little red meat (pork, beef, lamb, veal) and sausages.
    • Once or twice a week fresh sea fish, ie fatty marine fish (omega-3 fatty acids) such as salmon, herring, mackerel.
    • High-fiber diet (whole grains, vegetables).
    • Daily 5 servings of fresh vegetables (about 400 g) and fruit (about 250 g).
    • Reduce consumption of smoked and cured foods, because they contain nitrate or nitrite as a component of curing salt. Their preparation produces compounds (nitrosamines), which are risk factors for various tumor diseases.
    • Refrain from polluted foods such as offal and wild mushrooms.
    • Do not eat moldy food
  • Observe the following special dietary recommendations:
  • Selection of appropriate food based on the nutritional analysis
  • See also under “Therapy with micronutrients (vital substances)” – if necessary, taking a suitable dietary supplement.
  • Detailed information on nutritional medicine you will receive from us.

Sports Medicine

  • Endurance training (cardio training) and strength training (muscle training).
    • In general, endurance training on a bicycle ergometer can be recommended, which is performed according to the principle of interval training. This means that load phases lasting 1 to 3 minutes alternate with rest phases also lasting 1 to 3 minutes. The training should be performed at about 80% of the maximum heart rate for a total of 30 minutes.
  • Preparation of a fitness or training plan with suitable sports disciplines based on a medical check (health check or athlete check).
  • Detailed information on sports medicine you will receive from us.

Psychotherapy