We retrospectively analysed clinical data of 830 patients with extrahepatic biliary carcinomas treated in our hospital from 1956 to 1995. Among them, 601 had gallbladder carcinomas, and 229 cholangiocarcinomas. The results showed that extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma accounted for 6.77% of bile duct diseases. Gallbladder carcinomas and cholangiocarcinomas accounted for 72.4% and 27.6% of extrahepatic biliary carcinomas, while the mean age was 56.55 and 56.44 years old, respectively. The sex ratio (male:female) was 1:2. 54 and 1. 46:1. The operation rate and resection rate were 65.1% and 29.4% in gallbladder carcinoma while 66.4% and 20.4% in cholangiocarcinoma. The incidence rate and resection rate of extrahepatic biliary carcinomas were elevated.