Bile cytology has been performed in 38 cases (71 specimens) during the past 4 years. Most of the specimens (78.9%) were taken from PTC drainage. Cancer cells were cytologically positive in 13 (34.2%) of the 38 cases and 22 (31.0%) out of the 71 specimens. Twelve of the 13 cases were adenocarcinomas and a case, a squamous cell carcinoma. Six out of 9 cases of pancreatic head carcinoma, and 6 out of 9 cases of biliary tract carcinoma were diagnosed by cytologic examination. Bile cytology of PTC drainage is one of the useful diagnostic tools for detection of pancreatic, biliary tract and duodenal carcinoma.