Cholangiocarcinoma in Rhode Island: Incidence Trends and Risk Profile Over the Last Decade

The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma, a fatal disease of bile ducts, is increasing at unsettling rates in the Northeast United States, including Rhode Island. The cause of this region-specific increase in incidence of cholangiocarcinoma is unknown. This is a review of the literature on cholangiocarcinoma in conjunction with cancer data from the 1995-2018 Rhode Island Cancer Registry. The goal of this paper is to discuss the potential etiologies of the increased incidence in cholangiocarcinoma and identify populations in Rhode Island most at risk. Rhode Island residents have specific environmental and occupational exposures, which may contribute to the increased rate of cholangiocarcinoma. The Rhode Island Hispanic population has the highest incidence of cholangiocarcinoma and is diagnosed at younger ages. In order to evaluate and address this fatal disease, further research is needed and would be best evaluated by creation of a statewide database to track potential risk factors.