While it is generally accepted that the treatment of choice in carcinoma of the tonsil is transcutaneous radiotherapy (including lymphatic drainage), opinion on additional surgical interventions is still divided. The possible operations are extended tonsillectomy followed by radical neck dissection or the composite operation with partial mandibulectomy. The importance of the composite operation for T3 stage tumors is emphasized. Chemotherapy (bleomycin) was rarely used in our patients, and only initially in extensive carcinoma.