This retrospective study concerns 105 patients treated between 1977 and 1981 who had resections of previously untreated squamous carcinomas that were localized to the oral tongue or the floor of the mouth. Almost 80% had simple peroral excisions. Elective lymphadenectomy was performed in about one-third, all but one of whom had either T2 or T3 primaries or a surgical approach that involved entry into the neck. The determinate "cure" rate at 24 mo (median follow-up 50 mo) was 86%. Ninety-three percent and 78%, respectively, of those with T1 and T2 lesions remained alive and well after conservative operations, which yielded good functional results. Uncontrolled neck disease was evident in 10 of the 13 determinate patients who died as a result of their tumor. Although more of our patients with localized oral cancer now undergo elective lymphadenectomy when the primary is resected, T staging has not accurately predicted which patients are at greatest risk of metastasis. Preliminary data suggest that measurement of tumor depth may be a better way to select those patients who need elective neck therapy.