Mapping the landscape of biliary tract cancer in Europe: challenges and controversies

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Lorenza Rimassa - , IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas - Rozzano (Milano) (Author)
  • Shahid Khan - , Imperial College London (Author)
  • Bas Groot Koerkamp - , Erasmus University Medical Center (Author)
  • Stephanie Roessler - , University Hospital Heidelberg (Author)
  • Jesper B Andersen - , University of Copenhagen (Author)
  • Chiara Raggi - , University of Florence (Author)
  • Ana Lleo - , IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas - Rozzano (Milano) (Author)
  • Jean Charles Nault - , Sorbonne Paris North University, Hôpital Avicenne (Author)
  • Julien Calderaro - , Hôpital Henri Mondor (Author)
  • Chiara Gabbi - , Humanitas Medical Care (Author)
  • Jakob N Kather - , Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health, Department of Internal Medicine I, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg (Author)
  • Jesus M Banales - , University of Navarra (Author)
  • Irene Bargellini - , Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS (Author)
  • Helen Morement - , AMMF - The Cholangiocarcinoma Charity (Author)
  • Marcin Krawczyk - , Medical University of Warsaw (Author)
  • Paraskevi A Farazi - , European University Cyprus (Author)
  • Guido Carpino - , University of Rome La Sapienza (Author)
  • Matias A Avila - , University of Navarra (Author)
  • Anna Saborowski - , Hannover Medical School (MHH) (Author)
  • Vincenzo Cardinale - , University of Rome La Sapienza (Author)
  • Chiara Braconi - , CRUK Scotland Institute (Author)
  • Rocio I R Macias - , Universidad de Salamanca (Author)

Abstract

Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is becoming more common worldwide, with geographic differences in incidence and risk factors. In Europe, BTC may be associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis, lithiasis, and liver cirrhosis, but is more frequently observed as a sporadic disease. BTC increasingly affects patients under 60 years, resulting in a significant social and economic burden. Early diagnosis remains challenging due to vague symptoms in 50% of patients with BTC, and lack of specific biomarkers, resulting in late presentation and poor prognosis. The identification of patients at increased risk and reliable biomarkers require collaborative efforts to make faster progress. This Series paper highlights the disparities in access to diagnostic tools and multidisciplinary care in Europe, particularly in economically disadvantaged regions, while identifying priority areas for improvement. Addressing these inequities requires harmonised guidelines, accelerated pathways to curative treatments, and improved awareness among healthcare professionals and the public. Multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) are crucial for the diagnosis of BTC and for improving patient outcomes, yet inconsistencies exist in their implementation not only between different countries, but also between different centres within a country. Collaboration and standardisation of diagnostic and treatment protocols across Europe are essential to effectively address the management of patients with BTC.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number101171
Number of pages15
JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe
Volume50
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMedCentral PMC11910794
Scopus 85218869907
ORCID /0000-0002-3730-5348/work/198594648

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals