Carcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary ducts in Rochester, Minnesota, 1935--1971.

Because the causes of carcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary ducts are largely unknown, a descriptive epidemiologic study has been developed. The extensive record system at the Mayo Clinic for the population of Rochester, Minnesota, provided the basis for this study of the incidence, secular trend, pathologic features, relationship with gallstones, and survivorship of patients with carcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary ducts in the period 1935 through 1971. The mean annual incidence rate of carcinoma of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary ducts was 4.4 (3.1 for men and 5.4 for women) per 100,000 population. The rates increased rapidly with age in both males and females. For the 51 known deaths, the death certificates listed carcinoma of the gallbladder or extrahepatic biliary ducts, or both, as the underlying cause of death in 39 cases and as a contributory cause in three. The frequencies of gallstones in females (75%) and males (62%) were significantly higher than the expected numbers.