Interplay of Cardiometabolic Syndrome and Biliary Tract Cancer: A Comprehensive Analysis with Gender-Specific Insights.

Abstract

BTC overall incidence is globally increasing. CCA, including its subtypes, is a form of BTC. MetS, obesity, MASLD, and diabetes are all linked to CCA in interconnected ways. The link between obesity and CCA is less well-defined in Eastern countries as compared to Western. Although more research is needed to determine the relationship between MASLD and extrahepatic CCA (eCCA), MASLD may be a concurrent risk factor for intrahepatic CCA, particularly in populations with established or unidentified underlying liver disease. Interestingly, the risk of biliary tract cancer (BTC) seemed to be higher in patients with shorter diabetes durations who were not treated with insulin. Therefore, early detection and prevention of chronic liver disease, as well as additional intervention studies, will undoubtedly be required to determine whether improvements to MetS, weight loss, and diabetes therapy can reduce the risk and progression of BTC. However, further studies are needed to understand how reproductive hormones are involved in causing BTC and to develop consistent treatment for patients. Finally, it is critical to carefully assess the cardiological risk in BTC patients due to their increased intrinsic cardiovascular risk, putting them at risk for thrombotic complications, cardiovascular death, cardiac metastasis, and nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis. This review aimed to provide an updated summary of the relation between the abovementioned cardio-metabolic conditions and BTC.