The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that sits under the liver. It stores bile, a fluid made by the liver that helps digest fat. The gallbladder is most often removed because of gallstones and the inflammation they cause, but it is also examined when other changes are found. When the gallbladder is removed, a pathologist examines it under a microscope and describes what they see in your pathology report.
This page brings together our guides to conditions found in the gallbladder. The articles are grouped by type to help you find the one that matches your diagnosis. Select any article below to learn more.
Cancers of the gallbladder
This diagnosis is a cancer that develops in the gallbladder. The article explains how it is diagnosed and what the details in your pathology report mean.
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of gallbladder cancer. It develops from the gland-forming cells of the gallbladder lining. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what the details in your pathology report mean.
You may find this helpful if your report says adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder.
Precancerous changes
These diagnoses describe precancerous changes in the lining of the gallbladder. They are not cancer, but they can increase the risk that gallbladder cancer develops over time. The articles explain what each diagnosis means.
Biliary intraepithelial neoplasia
Biliary intraepithelial neoplasia is a precancerous change in the cells lining the gallbladder. It is not cancer, but it can increase the risk of gallbladder cancer over time. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions biliary intraepithelial neoplasia or BilIN.
Intracholecystic papillary neoplasm
An intracholecystic papillary neoplasm is a precancerous growth that forms finger-like projections inside the gallbladder. It is not cancer, but it can develop into cancer over time. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions an intracholecystic papillary neoplasm or ICPN.
Inflammatory conditions
These diagnoses describe inflammation of the gallbladder, a group of conditions known as cholecystitis. They are not cancer and are most often related to gallstones. The articles explain what each diagnosis means and what a pathologist looks for.
Acute cholecystitis is sudden inflammation of the gallbladder, usually caused by a gallstone blocking the flow of bile. This article explains what a pathologist sees in acute cholecystitis.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions acute cholecystitis after your gallbladder was removed.
Chronic cholecystitis is long-lasting inflammation of the gallbladder, most often caused by gallstones. It is the most common reason the gallbladder is removed. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions chronic cholecystitis or gallstones.
Gangrenous cholecystitis is a severe form of gallbladder inflammation in which part of the gallbladder wall has died. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions gangrenous cholecystitis.
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