In our center, carcinomas of the tonsillar region are most often treated by radiotherapy. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the therapeutical results obtained for such tumors over a period of ten years. From 1976 to 1986, 137 patients with carcinoma of the tonsillar area were exclusively treated by radiotherapy. The mean age of the patients was 54.3 years. 120 male and 17 female patients were included in the study. 63% of the patients had T3 or T4 tumors, while 53% had N2 or N3 adenopathies at enrollment (1979 TNM classification). All the patients had transcutaneous irradiation done either exclusively (121 cases) or in combination with curietherapy (16 cases). 61 patients had induction chemotherapy. Local control of the tumor was obtained in 59% of patients (79/137), and attained 92%, 71%, 58% and 16% for the T1, T2, T3 and T4 groups, respectively. The 5 year survival rate was 34%. 12 patients developed distal metastases. 9 patients developed another type of cancer. Elements of prognosis were tumor size and nodal status. Age, sex and histological differentiation were not determinant prognostic factors.