This report is a retrospective analysis of 62 patients treated for early glottic carcinoma during the six-year period of January 1982 through December 1987. The authors report that the cancer has been controlled in 100% of patients. For invasive stage 1 tumors the radiation cure rate is 42 of 45 patients or 93%, and voice quality after treatment was usually normal. Surgically treated tumors are usually confined to one vocal cord. Primary surgery with laser or cord stripping ultimately led to tumor control and voice preservation in all eleven patients treated although two required salvage with radiotherapy and mild but acceptable hoarseness was a usual sequel.