Outsmart Gallbladder Cancer with Genomic Testing & Cell-based Immunotherapy
Gallbladder or bile duct cancer is a rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the bile ducts. Primarily; gallbladder cancer is known to have an inflammatory cause. Advanced gall bladder cancer (also called cholangiocarcinoma) shows decreased response to conventional therapies like chemotherapy and radiotherapy; it is often diagnosed when advanced and stage 4. Surgical resection is the most common approach.
Therefore, with limited treatment available for gallbladder cancer; our first recommendation is Genomic Testing.
Because gallbladder cancer is a rare cancer in Australia & New Zealand, genomic diagnostic testing can assist especially if the origin of the tumour is uncertain. Sometimes other tumours can spread across the liver & in & around bile ducts, so diagnosis by usual means can be difficult.
There are a variety of genomic tests that can be individually tailored to your needs.
For more information about Genomic testing
Cell Based Immunotherapy - Good news for gallbladder cancer patients
Once in-depth DNA testing has been performed; you may be wise to consider cell-based immunotherapy as a value add to your treatment protocol.
Our acclaimed Immunology Professor (MD PhD) and his team report successful outcomes in this cancer type which most times, has a poor prognosis.
He and his team have successfully treated several Grace Gawler Institute patients. We currently have 2 long term survivors of gallbladder cancer in our patient files.
They have also published a case of stage IV gallbladder cancer in medical journals. As often occurs, this patient was progressing despite surgical resection and several cycles of chemotherapy. Cell-based immunotherapy has the advantage of being minimally invasive – yet it can powerfully restore your own immune system. After three infusions of cell-based immunotherapy (made from the patient’s own immune system), an improvement of the quality of life and sustained good general condition of the patient was noticed for more than 6 months. After the addition of cell-based immunotherapy, there was a substantial decrease in CA 19-9 tumour marker from 2938.22 U/mL before treatment to 511 U/mL, 5 months after treatment (treatment with cell-based personalised immunotherapy).
Cell-based immunotherapy offers no adverse reactions/side effects.
Gallbladder cancer is a difficult cancer to treat.
A Survivorship Navigation Care Plan can be a first step in educating yourself about navigating life during & after gallbladder cancer and helping you communicate knowledgeably with Grace, your cancer Navigator and other healthcare providers.
Bile duct cancer – Risk factors & known causes