Gallbladder cancer is a rare disease with poor prognosis and short survival time. The condition is usually associated with gallstones and predominantly affects women. We have taken data from the National Cancer Register and the Cause of Death Register in Sweden and studied the annual incidence of and mortality due to gallbladder cancer from 1988 to 1997. Incidence has declined during this period, which may be explained by a high rate of cholecystectomies in Sweden between 1950 and 1970. Prognosis has traditionally been poor, with a median survival time of 3.5 months, which might be explained by the fact that the disease usually is diagnosed at an advanced stage. Epidemiological figures show that prognosis may have improved during the past decade. In several retrospective studies, mainly from Japan, better results with longer survival times are reported after extended surgery. In a small group of 11 patients with gallbladder cancer, Nevin grade II-V, who underwent extended surgery at The University Hospital in Linköping, there are no signs of recurrent disease in 10 patients after a follow-up of 1-8 years.