New advances in diagnosis and treatment of advanced cholangiocarcinoma

Biliary tract carcinoma (BTC), characterized by high heterogeneity, exhibits rapid progression and poor prognosis. Its diagnosis requires comprehensively evaluation of clinical manifestation, laboratory index, graphics and pathology. Patients of early‑stage BTC may achieve fortunate cure through comprehensive treatment primarily centered on surgery. However, for patients of advanced BTC, main treatment modalities include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, yet single‑agent therapies have limited effectiveness, with systemic treatment being predominantly used. In the view of authors, with the deep exploration and breakthroughs of immune combination therapies in clinical research, immunotherapy is emerging as a novel research hotspot and primary treatment strategy in the field of BTC therapy, marking a new era in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients with BTC.