Confirm whether reoperation is needed
Assess whether an incidental tumor requires additional radical surgery.
Reviewed by Prof. Fabrizio Panaro · Updated: April 30, 2026
Specialty
Surgery for gallbladder cancer
At Quenet-Torrent Institute we treat gallbladder cancer with oncological surgery, including liver resection when needed, and a multidisciplinary team.
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Clinical summary
Gallbladder cancer is treated with extended oncological cholecystectomy, which includes liver resection of the gallbladder bed (segments IVb-V) and portal lymphadenectomy. At Quenet-Torrent Institute (Teknon Barcelona · Memorial Publio Cordón Madrid), the team of Dr. Quenet and Dr. Torrent, supervised by Prof. Panaro, applies this approach with strict oncological criteria.
What is gallbladder cancer?
Gallbladder cancer is a malignant tumor that arises in the cells of the gallbladder. It is relatively uncommon but aggressive, and it is often diagnosed incidentally after a cholecystectomy for gallstones.
Risk factors include long-standing gallstones, porcelain gallbladder, gallbladder polyps larger than 1 cm, primary sclerosing cholangitis and obesity. Symptoms are usually non-specific: abdominal pain, jaundice, weight loss.
Surgery is the only potentially curative treatment. The prognosis depends largely on the stage at diagnosis and on whether a complete resection is possible.
Symptoms of gallbladder cancer
Gallbladder cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages, which explains why many cases are found by chance when the surgical specimen is analyzed after a cholecystectomy performed for gallstones. When clinical signs appear, they usually point to disease that is already locally advanced.
The most common symptoms are pain or discomfort in the right upper abdomen, obstructive jaundice, nausea and vomiting, weight and appetite loss, a feeling of a mass or abdominal swelling and, sometimes, fever from a biliary infection. With any of these signs, especially if they occur together or persist over time, it is advisable to see a specialist in hepatobiliary surgery without delay.
Causes and risk factors of gallbladder cancer
The most common cause is long-standing gallstones (lithiasis), which cause chronic irritation and inflammation of the gallbladder wall and favor malignant transformation. Chronic inflammation of the gallbladder, gallbladder polyps of significant size and porcelain gallbladder, that is, a gallbladder with diffuse calcification of its wall, are also associated with a higher risk.
Other recognized factors are chronic biliary infections, older age and female sex, since gallstones are more prevalent in women. Obesity contributes indirectly by increasing the tendency to form stones. Knowing these factors allows proper follow-up of patients at risk.
Why ask for a second opinion on gallbladder cancer?
A second opinion can change the proposed treatment.
Assess resectability
Confirm whether a locally advanced tumor can be resected.
Evaluate the extent of surgery
Determine whether an associated hepatectomy and lymphadenectomy are needed.
Review the pathology
Confirm the stage and whether the surgical margins are involved.
It is mainly useful to decide whether surgery needs to be extended and how far.
How do we treat gallbladder cancer?
Surgical treatment depends on the stage and on how the tumor was diagnosed.
Simple cholecystectomy
Sufficient only for very early tumors (T1a) diagnosed incidentally.
Radical cholecystectomy
Resection of the gallbladder bed in the liver and regional lymphadenectomy.
Associated hepatectomy
Resection of liver segments IVb and V when there is deep invasion.
Bile duct resection
When the main bile duct is involved.
The strategy is tailored to the stage and extent of the tumor.
Our technology
Technology for gallbladder cancer surgery
These are the tests and techniques we use to plan and perform the surgery.
Multislice CT
Assessment of local and lymph node spread.
Hepatobiliary MRI
Detailed evaluation of the relationship with biliary and vascular structures.
PET-CT
Staging to rule out distant disease.
Intraoperative ultrasound
Guidance during liver resection.
WHY CHOOSE US?
Experience in complex hepatobiliary surgery
Quenet-Torrent Institute treats gallbladder cancer with teams specialized in oncological hepatobiliary surgery.
Experience in complex cases
We focus on advanced cancer and complex tumors, with techniques such as radical cholecystectomy with liver resection, which not every center offers.
Comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach
Surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, nutritionists and psychologists review your case together.
Research
We follow the published scientific evidence and review our protocols when new data appear.
Surgical technology
We have multislice CT, hepatobiliary MRI, PET-CT and intraoperative ultrasound to plan and guide the resection.
Personal, close care
We explain each step of the treatment and answer your questions throughout the process.
Our team
Gallbladder cancer specialists
Surgeons on the team who treat gallbladder cancer.
Dr. François Quenet
Oncological surgeon
View doctor: Dr. François Quenet"Surgeon with expertise in gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary tumors and in highly difficult operations."
Dr. Juan José Torrent
Oncological surgeon
View doctor: Dr. Juan José Torrent"Specialist in gynecological tumors, peritoneal carcinomatosis and complex oncological surgery."
Frequently asked questions about gallbladder cancer
Answers to the most common questions about diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
Can gallbladder cancer be cured?
Yes, especially if it is detected at early stages, when radical surgery can be curative. Many cases are found by chance when a gallbladder removed for stones is analyzed, and that early finding is precisely what offers the best chances of cure.
What should I do if cancer was found after my gallbladder was removed?
Depending on the stage shown by the analysis, a second operation may be needed to complete the oncological resection. It consists of removing the gallbladder bed from the liver and the lymph nodes in the area. It is not a failure of the first operation: it is the step that turns it into a complete oncological treatment.
Why is it necessary to remove part of the liver?
Because the gallbladder is attached to the liver and shares a very thin wall with it. Removing the gallbladder bed, that is, the portion of liver in contact with the tumor, is what ensures a margin free of disease. Without that resection, the risk of local recurrence is high.
How long does recovery take?
The hospital stay is usually 7 to 10 days and full recovery takes between 6 and 8 weeks, depending on the extent of the liver resection. The return to a normal diet is quick. Discharge is decided by how liver function and the drain evolve, not by a fixed timeline.
Is chemotherapy needed?
In many cases, yes. Chemotherapy after surgery improves results, especially when lymph nodes are involved or the surgical margin was narrow. The indication is decided by the multidisciplinary board in light of the analysis of the removed specimen.
Can gallstones cause cancer?
Long-standing gallstones are a recognized risk factor, especially large stones and the chronic inflammation they cause. But it should be put in context: the vast majority of people with gallstones never develop gallbladder cancer, which is an uncommon tumor.
Is a second opinion necessary?
It is highly advisable, especially to confirm whether a second operation is needed after an incidental finding and how extensive it should be. It is a decision with important consequences in both directions: operating too much adds risk, and falling short leaves disease that will come back.
Where can I receive this treatment safely?
At centers with proven experience in hepatobiliary surgery, because the correct treatment requires liver resection and lymph node dissection in the same operation. It is an uncommon tumor, so it is worth asking how many cases the team treats each year and whether it has a multidisciplinary board.
Where to treat gallbladder cancer?
We operate in two private hospitals in Spain. The same medical team treats you in Madrid and in Barcelona, with the same surgical and oncological protocols.
Madrid
Memorial Publio Cordón Hospital
Private hospital in Pozuelo de Alarcón with a multidisciplinary team specialised in digestive surgical oncology.
View Memorial Publio Cordón Hospital
Barcelona
Centro Médico Teknon
Private hospital in Barcelona where the team performs high-complexity surgical oncology.
View Centro Médico Teknon
Real cases
Patients treated by the Quenet Torrent team
Real testimonies from patients treated by our team in high-complexity surgical oncology.
Debra's case
66-year-old English woman with advanced ovarian cancer and peritoneal metastases. Treated with cytoreduction + HIPEC, she is now disease-free.
Read the full caseRosario (Charo)'s case
73-year-old patient with advanced cancer treated with chemotherapy and high-complexity surgical oncology, with good survival and quality of life.
Read the full caseFelipe's case
A mistaken diagnosis of terminal colon cancer that a second opinion revealed to be pseudomyxoma peritonei, treatable with cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC.
Read the full caseSantiago's case
Diagnosed with widespread peritoneal carcinomatosis and considered inoperable. After complete cytoreduction with HIPEC, today his is a story of survival.
Read the full case
Verified reviews
See on Google
4.5/5
What our patients say
L
4 weeks ago
5/5
Wonderful surgical team, among the best out there. Dr. Torrent (expert in peritoneal carcinomatosis) is an exceptional surgeon and an even better person. His coordinator is super kind, fast and efficient. The personal care is excellent and so are the results. This is of vital importance for cancer patients.
K
5 months ago
5/5
In the public healthcare system they gave my father a maximum of one year to live. They only offered him chemo and no hope, said it was impossible, that nothing could be done. He had several tumors inside the peritoneal sac with metastases. A year and a half later he is clean, completely cured. His latest PET scan came back clean. We are very happy. Thanks to Dr. Torrent and his team. THANK YOU.
M
A year ago
5/5
Excellent professionals, especially Dr. Torrent, attentive at all times to the patient (my wife), operated for peritoneal pseudomyxoma. They helped us with all our needs since we came from outside Barcelona. Thank you Elisabeth. We are very grateful to Quenet Torrent Institute, thank you for everything.
P
2 years ago
5/5
I am a 63-year-old patient. They detected adrenal gland cancer and told me there was nothing to be done. I sought a second opinion and they told me about the Quenet Torrent team, specialists in complex operations. Dr. Torrent, from the first moment, told me they could operate. They operated and removed a large tumor mass. I spent a week in the ICU and a month on the ward. Every day he came morning and evening, no matter Saturday or Sunday. Never throw in the towel. I am happy to have found these professionals who gave me my life back. Thank you.
I
3 years ago
5/5
Many thanks for your attention. Dr. Torrent always attentive, involved and decisive. The reception staff very pleasant and always offering the best option. 100% RECOMMENDED. THANK YOU.
M
5 years ago
5/5
Dr. Torrent helped me make the best decision at a difficult moment. I think he is a great professional and a person capable of accompanying you and putting himself in another's shoes. Thank you for everything.
F
6 years ago
5/5
I have peritoneal carcinomatosis. When I sent my diagnosis to every center, practically all of them agreed on palliative chemo with little survival time, since I had a very aggressive type of cell. Until we reached Dr. Quenet, Dr. Torrent and their team. I can only confirm what their CV announces: they are far ahead of the rest. They saved my life, because during the operation the harmful cells that everyone had diagnosed, and that were the reason nobody would operate on me, were not there. This intervention has become the best investment of my life.
M
6 years ago
5/5
The best decision of my life was finding this excellent team of surgeons who saved my husband's life. At a prestigious international clinic in Madrid he was given up for lost with advanced peritoneal carcinomatosis from appendiceal cancer, and thanks to them, the best professionals in this field, he was operated on very successfully. A perfect recovery with no complications, because they were on top of his progress at all times. They have a great quality: from the start they were very honest and close. I can only be deeply grateful; we went to buy time and thanks to them my husband got his life back.
E
7 years ago
5/5
Dr. Torrent is a brilliant surgeon and a very approachable and warm doctor, whose manner reveals all the qualities that make him a great person and professional: perseverance, innate curiosity and a desire to learn, humility, sincerity and empathy. Going through an operation is undoubtedly an intense experience, physically and emotionally, in which anxieties arise and you feel very vulnerable. All of that is normal, and as his former patient I can say that his care and professionalism throughout the process were absolutely exceptional. I felt very supported by him, with the confidence of knowing I was in the best hands. I will always be grateful to him. Moltes gràcies Dr. Torrent!
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