Between 1965 and 1983, 52 cases of carcinoma of the nasopharynx were treated with radiotherapy alone and 14 treated with combination chemotherapy containing cisplatin followed by a radical course of radiation. Before 1981 all cases were treated by radiotherapy alone with a variety of dose and fractionation regimes. The actuarial overall 3 year survival for these cases was 35%. Twelve of the 14 (86%) who received chemotherapy responded, and in two there was complete disappearance of disease before the radiotherapy. The 3 year survival for those receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy was 86%. The possible reasons for this apparent improvement are discussed.