Gallbladder Cancer Stage I (T1–2, N0, M0)
Reviewed by Oncology Team, HealOnco | Last updated: 2026-04
What Stage I (T1–2, N0, M0) Means
Tumour confined to gallbladder wall (T1 = lamina propria/muscle; T2 = perimuscular connective tissue) without regional lymph node involvement.
Treatment Approach for Stage I (T1–2, N0, M0)
Extended cholecystectomy (gallbladder, cystic artery, cystic duct lymph nodes, strip of adjacent liver and hepatoduodenal ligament nodes) without adjuvant chemotherapy in most series. Consider adjuvant capecitabine/5-FU x 6 months if T2 or inadequate lymph node assessment.
Survival Rates and Prognosis
The 5-year survival rate for gallbladder cancer at Stage I (T1–2, N0, M0) is approximately 5-year OS: 50–70% with resection; up to 80% if T1a only (mucosa/submucosa).. Survival rates are statistical averages drawn from large patient populations and may not reflect your individual outcome. Factors that influence your specific prognosis include your age, overall health, tumour biology, and how well the cancer responds to treatment.
Important: These numbers are drawn from historical data. Newer treatments available today may improve outcomes beyond what published statistics show. Discuss your individual prognosis with your oncologist.
How Other Stages Compare
| Stage | 5-Year Survival | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Stage II (T3 or N1, M0) | 5-year OS: 25–35% with resection + adjuvant chemotherapy; <10% with resection alone. | Extended cholecystectomy ± hepatic resection (if T3 with liver bed invasion)… |
| Stage IIIA (T4, N0–1, M0) | 5-year OS: 10–20% with multimodal therapy (resection + chemotherapy); <5% with chemotherapy alone. | Assess resectability carefully; extended resection (cholecystectomy, hepatic… |
| IIIB (N2, M0) | 5-year OS: <10%, similar to metastatic disease. Median OS ~12–14 months with chemotherapy. | Palliative chemotherapy (gemcitabine/cisplatin or 5-FU/leucovorin x 6–8 cycles)… |
| Stage IV (M1, any T, any N) | Median OS: 8–12 months with gemcitabine/cisplatin; 14 months with durvalumab + gemcitabine/cisplatin (TOPAZ-1). <5% 2-year OS. | Palliative systemic chemotherapy with gemcitabine/cisplatin (standard) or… |
Gallbladder Cancer Treatment in Top Cities
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