A total of 134 cases of spinocellular carcinoma of the oral cavity were treated by our division during the period March 1988-June 1992. This carcinoma histotype has a predominantly local evolution with rare long-distance hematic metastases. On the other hand, there are more frequent reports of metastases along the lymphatic route with an incidence which varies according to the site of tumour onset. Among the 134 patients treated a group of 77 were selected and admitted to a chemo-radio-surgical protocol consisting of four stages. During surgery patients in this group showed a marked reduction of both intracapsular and extracapsular lymph node involvement in almost all sites examined.