Squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity were treated in 157 patients by surgery as first-line (104) or salvage (53) treatment. Postoperative irradiation delivered either for locally advanced tumors (stade III-IV) or for unfavorable histological data (nodal or surgical margins involvement). The retrospective study with a mean time of follow-up of 2.5 years shows a loco-regional control rate of 75% statistically influenced by histological nodal status (p < 0.01). Cumulative and cause specific survival rates at 5 years are 41.1% and 57.2% respectively. T stage was found to be a prognostic factor of survival (p < 0.01) as bone involvement (p < 0.05). Surgical margins are influent on local control and survival only in absence of radiation.