Hepatobiliary cancers in South America: Disparity strikes

Abstract

Hepatobiliary malignancies represent an important cause of death worldwide.1 Mortality from these tumours occurs primarily due to late detection, which precludes potentially curative interventions. Currently, no reliable markers are available for early recognition and screening of hepatobiliary malignancies, leading to these tumours being detected at a late stage. This late detection is more evident in regions of the world with scarce access to modern diagnostic technology for the entire population. In this regard, South America exhibits a rather unique geopolitical dichotomy, with advanced health centres in major cities capable of providing most diagnostic and therapeutic options, including liver transplantation, but poor resources to deal with complex diagnostics in smaller cities and towns. It is in this setting where the need for biomarkers for early detection becomes vital, as they can help stratify patients to be shuttled from areas with poor resources to larger cities when necessary.