Global trends and disparities in gallbladder and biliary tract cancers: insights from the global burden of disease study 2021

Background Gallbladder and biliary tract cancers (GBC and BTC) are highly malignant, with poor prognoses and substantial regional variability in the disease burden. Although advances in medical science have improved outcomes in high-income regions, low- and middle-income regions continue to face rising incidence and mortality rates owing to delayed detection and treatment. Understanding the global trends and risk factors of GBC and BTC is essential for targeted interventions to reduce disease burden. Methods A retrospective analysis of GBC and BTC was conducted using the 2021 Global Burden of Disease study. Data from 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2021 were analyzed for incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years stratified by age, sex, and sociodemographic index (SDI). Trends were quantified using age-standardized rates and estimated annual percentage changes. Results In 2021, 216,768 new cases and 171,961 deaths were reported globally, with age-standardized incidence and mortality rates of 2.6 and 2.0 per 100,000, respectively. The high-income Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions exhibited the highest disease burdens. While global age-standardized rates declined estimated annual percentage changes for incidence: −0.44; mortality: −0.97), low-SDI regions experienced increases. High BMI emerged as the leading risk factor, contributing to 12% of the disability-adjusted life years. Projections indicate a stable incidence but rising mortality by 2036. Conclusion Although the global age-standardized rates of GBC and BTC are decreasing, disparities persist, with low-SDI regions experiencing increasing burdens. Targeted interventions addressing modifiable risk factors such as obesity, along with improved healthcare infrastructure and early detection, are critical for mitigating this global health challenge.