Adjuvant therapy in biliary tract and gall bladder carcinomas: a review.

Abstract

Biliary tract carcinomas are relatively rare, but are increasingly diagnosed. They comprise several anatomically contiguous sites, so are often grouped together, but they do appear to represent distinct diseases, in part because of anatomical and surgical considerations. Complete upfront surgical resection is generally difficult because these cancers are often diagnosed at relatively advanced stages of disease. Thus, adjuvant therapy is often considered. This paper will review the evidence underpinning current recommendations for adjuvant therapy in biliary carcinomas.