Increasing incidence of hepatobiliary cancer in adolescents and young adult females: a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database study

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest shifting epidemiological patterns in hepatobiliary cancers (HBC), with an increasing incidence among younger populations. This study evaluated incidence and mortality trends of HBC in adolescents and young adults (AYA) in the United States. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective population-based study using SEER 21 Registries. Individuals aged 15 to 39 years diagnosed with liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancers from 2000 to 2022 were included. Adults aged 40 to 64 years served as a comparator group. Age-adjusted incidence (AAI) and mortality rates (MR) per 100,000 were calculated, and trends were analyzed using annual percent change (APC). RESULTS: Among AYA, AAI increased from 0.34 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29-0.40) per 100,000 in 2000 to 0.56 (95% CI 0.49-0.63) in 2022. This was driven by an increase among females: APC 3.18%, 95% CI 2.24-4.30. Hispanic females had the greatest increase, with an APC of 6.96% (95% CI 4.07-20.03). The incidence in adults aged 40 to 64 years peaked in 2014 and declined thereafter. Mortality increased in AYA females (APC 0.99%, 95% CI 0.27-1.75), while remaining stable in males. CONCLUSION: HBC incidence is rising among AYAs in the United States, disproportionately affecting females, especially Hispanic women, and is accompanied by increasing mortality. Further research is needed to identify underlying causes, including potential metabolic risk factors.