Diabetes and smoking increase the risk of biliary cancer. Gallstones are a risk factor for the development of gallbladder carcinoma.
In general, women develop gallstones more often than men. Obesity, diabetes, liver cirrhosis, hypothyroidism, and crash diets are also risk factors for the disease. The substance dimethylinitrosamine in cigarette smoke promotes cancer of the biliary tract. It is advisable to pay attention to certain signals from the body that could indicate possible cancer.