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Gallbladder Cancer

Gallbladder cancer is the most common highly malignant tumor of the biliary system, with an extremely low 5-year survival rate. Onset is insidious, early symptoms are nonspecific, and most cases are unresectable at diagnosis. Radical surgery is the only potentially curative method.

Risk Factors

· Gallstones (present in about 85% of patients)

· Chronic cholecystitis and porcelain gallbladder

· Gallbladder polyps larger than 1 cm

· Anomalous pancreaticobiliary duct junction

· Obesity and high-fat diet

· Genetic susceptibility

Etiology

Long-term irritation from gallstones causes chronic inflammation and mucosal hyperplasia, while bile stasis leads to accumulation of mutations in genes such as KRAS. Stone size and number are positively correlated with the risk of malignant transformation.

Symptoms

Early symptoms are atypical, including dull right upper abdominal pain and decreased appetite. As the disease progresses, progressive jaundice, pale stools, dark tea-colored urine, pruritus, and a hard palpable mass in the right upper abdomen may occur. Advanced disease is accompanied by ascites and cachexia.

Treatment Options

· Surgery: Radical cholecystectomy + liver wedge resection + lymph node dissection is the only potentially curative approach and is suitable for resectable disease.

· Minimally invasive treatment: For unresectable disease, endoscopic or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and stent placement can relieve jaundice; intraluminal radiofrequency ablation or photodynamic therapy can control local tumors; limited intrahepatic lesions may be treated with microwave ablation or radioembolization.

· Chemoradiotherapy: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is used for local control in locally advanced disease; chemotherapy is the foundation for advanced disease.

· Targeted and immunotherapy: Targeted drugs against IDH1 mutations, FGFR2 fusions, and other targets are used in advanced disease; immune checkpoint inhibitors benefit some patients.

· Others: Active jaundice reduction, liver protection, nutritional support, and management of complications such as cholangitis.

Testing and Diagnosis

Abdominal ultrasound is used for initial screening, and contrast-enhanced CT and MRI assess invasion and metastasis. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography shows biliary morphology. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided needle biopsy confirms the diagnosis. CA19-9 and CEA assist diagnosis.

MDT Team
Bringing together senior experts in China's precision minimally invasive cancer treatment field to provide you with world-leading minimally invasive cancer treatment services.
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Liao Zhengyin
Liao Zhengyin
PhD, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityPostdoctoral Fellow, Chinese PLA General Hospitals in Beijing, ChinaSenior Visiting Scholar at Johns Hopkins Hospital, USAProfessor and Grade 1 Expert in the Oncology Center at West China Hospital, Sichuan University
Extremely adept at minimally invasive interventional therapies for tumors and treatment of cancer pain, proficient in radioactive seed implantation, ablation, and vascular intervention, with a focus on liver cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and bone metastases, and particularly skilled in radioactive seed implantation for refractory cancer pain.
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Xiao Yueyong
Xiao Yueyong
Doctor of Medicine, Professor, and Doctoral Supervisor Chief Physician at Department of Radiological Diagnosis in the No. 1 Medical Center at Chinese PLA General Hospital
Doctor Xiao has an expertise in the individualised minimally-invasive ablation of solid tumours including liver cancer, lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer under the guidance of CT/MRI. Doctor Xiao is proficient in radiofrequency, microwave, cryoablation, and nanoknife ablation technologies, and operates more than thousands of operations annually. Especially, Dr. Xiao has abundant experiences in the precise treatment of the tumours in special anatomical sites such as hepatic hilar region, retroperitoneum, and mediastinal lymph nodes. Further, Dr. Xiao is rather good at combining chemical ablation and seed implantation therapies.
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Zhang Jinshan
Zhang Jinshan
Chief PhysicianProfessorDoctoral Supervisor
He is very involved in treating tumors and blood vessel diseases, focusing on less invasive procedures for issues like liver cancer, cirrhotic portal hypertension, Budd–Chiari syndrome, narrowing and blockage of peripheral blood vessels, both benign and malignant tumors, and benign prostatic hyperplasia. He was among the first in China to perform advanced techniques such as TIPSS and B-ORTO, filling multiple domestic gaps in the field. He also pioneered temporary hepatic vein occlusion combined with hepatic arterial embolization for the treatment of liver cancer, led the development of standardized treatment protocols for liver cancer, and has made significant contributions to the advancement of interventional medicine in China.
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Hu Xiaokun
Hu Xiaokun
Chief PhysicianProfessorDoctoral SupervisorPostdoctoral mentorDeputy Director of the Interventional Medicine Center of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityDirector of the Qingdao Tumor Interventional Minimally Invasive Technology Innovation Center.Visiting Scholar at Harvard Medical School, USA
Specializes in the treatment of solid tumors, including lung cancer, liver cancer, glioma, and pancreatic cancer, with a particular focus on radioactive iodine-125 seed implantation combined with multimodal ablation techniques such as microwave ablation, radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation, and irreversible electroporation (NanoKnife). Also possesses extensive experience in the management of non-neoplastic diseases, particularly vertebroplasty and minimally invasive treatments for intervertebral disc disorders.
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Treatment Technologies
Providing targeted, world-class precision treatment solutions for patients worldwide.
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Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE)
It is primarily used for the palliative treatment of intermediate to advanced-stage primary liver cancer, liver metastases, and hypervascular tumors in areas such as the head, neck, and lungs. It can also be used as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy to help reduce the risk of local recurrence.
NanoKnife Ablation Technology
It is primarily indicated for solid tumors located in anatomically complex regions adjacent to major blood vessels, bile ducts, pancreatic ducts, the intestines, or nerves—such as locally advanced pancreatic cancer, hilar hepatic tumors, renal hilar tumors, and prostate cancer. This technique offers a safe and effective option for curative or cytoreductive treatment in patients with unresectable lesions or tumors unsuitable for conventional thermal ablation.
Iodine-125 Seed Implantation Technology
It is primarily indicated for solid tumors that are unresectable, recurrent, or metastatic after radiotherapy and chemotherapy, including primary liver cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer, as well as recurrent or metastatic tumors of the head and neck and pelvic regions.
Argon-Helium Knife Ablation Therapy
It is widely used in the treatment of liver cancer, lung cancer, renal cancer, as well as bone and soft tissue tumors. The technique is particularly suitable for lesions adjacent to the thoracic or abdominal wall, adrenal glands, and multiple metastatic tumors, making it an important component of the minimally invasive ablation system for solid tumors.
Patient stories
At UNI-ASIA Cancer Hospital, every journey in search of care is marked by courage and hope, and every story bears witness to doctors and patients working together to overcome disease.
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Patient Lao Chen
Bladder Cancer
China
Patient Lao Chen
A Chinese patient diagnosed with invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder experienced repeated postoperative recurrence and multiple metastases. After undergoing several open surgeries and chemotherapy regimens, the patient's condition became physically intolerable. At the end of 2024, the patient was transferred to Chengdu Uni-Asia Hospital, where Professor Liao Zhengyin's team performed CT combined with ultrasound-guided cryoablation of the abdominal wall metastatic lesion. The patient was able to get out of bed and move around the day after the procedure, was discharged smoothly after only five days of hospitalization, and regained a peaceful life.
Ms. Nguyen
Lung Cancer
Vietnam
Ms. Nguyen
A Vietnamese patient, 68 years old, was diagnosed with small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the right lung with metastases in both lungs. She had previously undergone partial resection of the right lung and multiple rounds of chemoradiotherapy. After recurrence and metastasis left her without the option of surgery, she was referred to Chengdu Uni-Asia Hospital by an international referral center. Professor Liao Zhengyin's team performed minimally invasive interventional chemoembolization for her. She was able to get out of bed and move around the day after the procedure; her cough and shortness of breath improved significantly, and she was discharged smoothly a few days later to return home, regaining a normal life.
Catia
Liver Cancer
Philippines
Catia
A 42-year-old Filipino patient was diagnosed with primary liver cancer with intrahepatic metastases and a tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava (stage IV), and had lost the opportunity for surgical resection. He was referred to Chengdu Uni-Asia Hospital through an international referral center. Professor Luo Xiaoping’s team first performed biliary drainage to relieve jaundice, and after his condition stabilized, carried out hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy and embolization to control the tumor. After the procedure, his abdominal distension was significantly relieved; he was able to get out of bed the next day and was successfully discharged to return home.
Patient Akun
Liver Cancer
China
Patient Akun
A Chinese patient was diagnosed with liver cancer accompanied by metastasis to the C3 cervical vertebra and a pathological fracture. On admission, he had severe neck pain and markedly limited movement. The Uni-Asia team first performed cervical vertebroplasty to stabilize the vertebra and relieve pain, and on the following day performed transarterial chemoembolization of the hepatic artery to control the intrahepatic tumor. After surgery, his pain was significantly relieved; he was able to get out of his wheelchair and walk, and he was in good spirits at discharge.

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