Molecular and Clinical Heterogeneity in Resected Biliary Tract Cancer: A Single-Center Analysis of Treatment Patterns and Oncologic Outcomes

Background/Objectives: Biliary tract cancer (BTC) comprises anatomically and molecularly distinct diseases, yet real-world data integrating molecular testing with clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes after resection remain limited. We evaluated clinical and molecular heterogeneity across the major BTC subtypes in a contemporary surgical cohort. Methods: Consecutive adults undergoing curative-intent resection for intrahepatic (iCCA), perihilar (pCCA), distal (dCCA) cholangiocarcinoma, or gallbladder cancer (GBC) at a single Vienna center between 2019 and 2025 were analyzed at the patient level using the first qualifying resection as the index procedure. Molecular testing (52-gene Oncomine Focus; 50-gene Precision/Genexus), perioperative and pathological outcomes, recurrence, and overall survival (OS) were assessed. Results: The cohort included 145 patients (73 iCCA, 24 pCCA, 22 dCCA, 26 GBC). Molecular profiling was available in 103 patients (71%). IDH1/2 and FGFR2 alterations were confined to iCCA, whereas KRAS alterations were most frequent in pCCA and dCCA. Major morbidity occurred in 54/145 patients (37%) and was highest in pCCA (16/24, 67%); 17 Grade V events were documented. Median OS was 40.0 months and did not differ significantly across anatomical subtypes (log-rank p = 0.250). Cumulative incidence of recurrence likewise did not differ significantly across subtypes when death without prior recurrence was treated as a competing event (Gray’s test p = 0.163). Conclusions: The principal contribution of this real-world cohort is the integration of routine molecular testing with surgical, pathological, treatment, perioperative, and longitudinal outcome data across resected BTC subtypes. Assay coverage and testing selection must be considered when interpreting molecular findings generated in routine practice.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Cancers
Published
2026-10-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18213472
Primary Topic
Cholangiocarcinoma and Gallbladder Cancer Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Molecular and Clinical Heterogeneity in Resected Biliary Tract Cancer: A Single-Center Analysis of Treatment Patterns and Oncologic Outcomes

Alexander Kupis, Thomas Gruenberger, Jonas Santol, Mariel Gramberger et al.
5 links
Cancers
Cholangiocarcinoma and Gallbladder Cancer Studies
article

Molecular and Clinical Heterogeneity in Resected Biliary Tract Cancer: A Single-Center Analysis of Treatment Patterns and Oncologic Outcomes

Alexander Kupis, Thomas Gruenberger, Jonas Santol, Mariel Gramberger, Niccolò Surci, Yawen Dong, Josef Friedl, Francesca Notte, Sophia Petschnak, Thomas Hoblaj, Rebecca Thonhauser, Madita M Tschoegl, Matthias Novotny, Edanur Cenan, Mohamed Salem
article en

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Biliary tract cancer (BTC) comprises anatomically and molecularly distinct diseases, yet real-world data integrating molecular testing with clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes after resection remain limited. We evaluated clinical and molecular heterogeneity across the major BTC subtypes in a contemporary surgical cohort. Methods: Consecutive adults undergoing curative-intent resection for intrahepatic (iCCA), perihilar (pCCA), distal (dCCA) cholangiocarcinoma, or gallbladder cancer (GBC) at a single Vienna center between 2019 and 2025 were analyzed at the patient level using the first qualifying resection as the index procedure. Molecular testing (52-gene Oncomine Focus; 50-gene Precision/Genexus), perioperative and pathological outcomes, recurrence, and overall survival (OS) were assessed. Results: The cohort included 145 patients (73 iCCA, 24 pCCA, 22 dCCA, 26 GBC). Molecular profiling was available in 103 patients (71%). IDH1/2 and FGFR2 alterations were confined to iCCA, whereas KRAS alterations were most frequent in pCCA and dCCA. Major morbidity occurred in 54/145 patients (37%) and was highest in pCCA (16/24, 67%); 17 Grade V events were documented. Median OS was 40.0 months and did not differ significantly across anatomical subtypes (log-rank p = 0.250). Cumulative incidence of recurrence likewise did not differ significantly across subtypes when death without prior recurrence was treated as a competing event (Gray’s test p = 0.163). Conclusions: The principal contribution of this real-world cohort is the integration of routine molecular testing with surgical, pathological, treatment, perioperative, and longitudinal outcome data across resected BTC subtypes. Assay coverage and testing selection must be considered when interpreting molecular findings generated in routine practice.

CancersVol. 18(21)
Sigmund Freud Privatuniversität Wien (AT), Fachhochschule Wiener Neustadt (AT), Wiener Krankenanstaltenverbund (AT), Universitätsklinikum Wiener Neustadt (AT)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Cholangiocarcinoma and Gallbladder Cancer Studies
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

Laika access coming soon