The aim of this study was to evaluate prognostic factors and to study combination radiotherapy-surgery as treatment for patients with bulky stage Ib and II cervical carcinoma. From 1985 to 1994, 187 patients with cervical cancer >/= 4 cm, were treated by combined radiation therapy and radical surgery including systematic para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Complications were observed in 34 (18%) patients. In a multivariate analysis, young age, tumor size less than 5 cm, metastatic nodes with capsular rupture, and bilateral nodes were independent prognostic factors. Overall survival at 3 years was 85%, 56%, and 40% in patients with negative nodes, positive pelvic nodes, and positive para-aortic nodes, respectively (P < 0.001). These results confirm the prognostic significance of young age, tumor size, and nodal involvement. Radical surgery combined with radiotherapy is feasible, with an acceptable rate of complications and yields satisfactory survival results in patients with bulky stage IB and II cervical carcinoma. Recent randomized published studies have demonstrated that concomitant chemotherapy and radiotherapy should be the gold standard in this setting. The role of surgery is questioned.