Gallstones are quite common in people over the age of 40. But most people don't notice them because the stones don't cause any symptoms. Treatment is usually only a good idea if there are noticeable symptoms. This is because that means there is a greater risk of complications. Gallstones increase the risk of gallbladder cancer and bile duct cancer. These types of cancer are rare, though: It is estimated that 5 out of 1,000 people with gallstones get gallbladder cancer. People with very large gallstones and porcelain gallbladder have a higher risk In very rare cases a chronic inflammation may cause what is known as "porcelain gallbladder," with a thickened and calcified gallbladder wall. Then the gallbladder can no longer contract (squeeze out bile) properly. A certain type of porcelain gallbladder with patchy calcifications increases the risk of getting cancer of the gallbladder: It is estimated that 7 out of 100 people with this kind of porcelain gallbladder get gallbladder cancer. Pancreatitis is a very rare, serious disease.Pancreatitis is a potentially life-threatening disease,