Six hundred and seventy-five cases of cutaneous epidermoid carcinomas of the face (excluding the lips, ears and eyelids) were treated with superficial irradiation therapy according to an original dose and time schedule (3 fractions of 1020 R over 14 days), with correction for RBE. The reference dose was always set at the deepest portion of the tumor (100% isodose including the lesion) and surface dose was limited to 125% of the depth dose. The energy used varied according to the thickness of the tumor, and the size of the irradiation fields according to the diameter of the tumor. All other parameters remained constant. The results after a minimum follow-up of 2 years show that the failure rate was low (less than 4%) and could be corrected in 85% of cases. Ninety per cent of recurrences appeared within 3 years; they were central and most frequently observed in nasal locations and basal cell carcinomas. Complications were rare (fewer than 3% of cases), and the majority were cured by medical treatment. Cosmetic results were satisfactory in over 90% of cases. The method used for expression of the dose permits a clear and coherent interpretation of the results: complications and sequelae were closely correlated with the irradiated surface and volume. The hypofractionated irradiation protocol described in this paper offers a simple, ambulatory method for the treatment of cutaneous epidermoid carcinomas of the face which have a particularly high incidence among the elderly. The majority of patients can be treated in this way.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)