The registry of digestive tract tumours established for the department of Côte d'Or was used to study the epidemiologic characteristics and treatment of gallbladder cancer. During 8 years (1976-1983), 139 new cases were recorded. Age standardized incidence rates based on world standard population were 3.1/100,000 for females, 0.9/100,000 for males. As in all population-based studies, there was a female predominance. As compared with the data of other cancer registries the risk in the Côte d'Or is in the intermediate range. The incidence of gallbladder cancer was similar in urban and rural areas, but high risk lieus were identified by the study. The most frequent histologic type was adenocarcinoma (79.5 p. 100). Only 20.9 p. 100 of the patients underwent curative surgery. The overall 1-year survival rate was 14.4 p. 100 and the 5-year survival rate was 2.9 p. 100. The 5-year survival rate was 11.5 p. 100 after curative surgery. These results underline the fact that the prognosis of gallbladder cancer in a well defined population remains poor. The frequency of gallstones was 73.3 p. 100 in females and 56.5 p. 100 in males. Although this association is frequent few people with cholelithiasis develop gallbladder cancer. Among patients with gallstones, a subgroup at high risk of gallbladder cancer, in whom prophylactic surgery might be justified, remains to be identified.