Gallbladder Cancer and Asbestos Exposure

While the lifetime risk of developing gallbladder cancer is relatively low, educating yourself with regard to the factors which increase susceptibility is undoubtedly a worthwhile endeavor, as the disease has a very high mortality rate. A staggering 93% of the people who suffer from gallbladder cancer pass away within 5 years after diagnosis. The primary reason why it has such a poor prognosis is tardy detection, which diminishes survival chances tremendously. Late diagnosis is the result of the non specificity of symptoms, as well as the anatomic location of the gallbladder. The most common risk factor seems to be a history of gallstones, which makes one five times more prone to the disease. However, there are numerous other factors which were found to increase gallbladder cancer risk, such as exposure to asbestos in occupational settings. Accordingly, inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers may lead to the growth of a malignant tumor on the gallbladder within several decades, since they can easily reach the organ by traveling through the lymphatic system or the bloodstream. If you worked with asbestos before the 1980s and have a diagnosis of gallbladder cancer, please contact Environmental Litigation Group, P.C. to recover financial compensation for your injury.

Infographic Source: https://www.elglaw.com/infographics/gallbladder-cancer-and-asbestos-exposure/