Epidemiology

Approximately two-thirds of cholangiocarcinomas occur in patients ages between 50 and 70 years, with a slight male predominance.[4] The reported incidence of biliary tumors has increased in recent years; however, the increase is probably due to improvement in data collection and analysis.

The incidence varies worldwide. The highest known rates occur in north-east Thailand (>80 per 100,000 population).[2] High rates of biliary cancer are also seen in South American countries (Bolivia, Chile) and northern Japan. Intermediate rates are seen in many European countries, and low rates are observed in the US, the UK, India, Nigeria, and Singapore.[5] The lowest rates are seen in Canada (0.3 per 100,000).[2] In the US, New Mexico has the highest incidence of biliary tree carcinoma (gallbladder carcinoma accounts for 8.5% of all cancers).[6]

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