Bile duct drainage surgery for cholangiocarcinoma, combined with radiotherapy and targeted therapy, has the possibility of survival for 3 years. Cholangiocarcinoma is a group of malignant tumors of the biliary system with low incidence, originating from the epithelial cells of the bile ducts. According to the site of tumor occurrence, it includes intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, hepatoportal cholangiocarcinoma (upper segment cholangiocarcinoma), middle segment cholangiocarcinoma, and distal cholangiocarcinoma. Among them, hepatoportal cholangiocarcinoma is more common than distal cholangiocarcinoma. Surgery is the most important means to treat this disease, and its surgical plan (e.g. resection range, etc.) is related to tumor location and stage. Surgical methods include choledochotomy, bile duct jejunostomy in the middle and distal segments, and resection of part of the liver, hepatic artery, gallbladder, pancreaticoduodenum, etc. in some patients with large invasion area. For patients who cannot be surgically resected and have obstructive jaundice, bile drainage can be used to alleviate jaundice symptoms, and radiotherapy and targeted therapy can be combined according to the patient’s condition to control the progression of the disease. The prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma is related to age, disease stage (tumor size, location, number, invasion range, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis, etc.) and treatment effect. Foreign studies claim that the overall 1-year survival rate of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is 51.4%, 3-year survival rate is 22.14%, and 5-year survival rate is only 13.79%. In conclusion, the prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma patients is influenced by various factors, and early diagnosis and early treatment are the key to improve the prognosis. It is recommended to go to regular hospitals for diagnosis and treatment, and follow the doctor’s instructions to avoid delaying the condition.