Between 1978 and 1984, 44 consecutive patients with anal epidermoid carcinoma were either given radiation therapy alone (cloacogenic type) or in combination with Bleomycin (squamous type). The patients with small tumors (T1-T2) were treated to 65 Gy or 60 Gy + Bleomycin directly, whereas patients with moderately advanced tumors (T3) were treated to the same radiation dose, only if no evidence of residual disease existed after 50-55 Gy (40-45 Gy + Bleomycin); if a palpable tumor still remained 3 weeks after the irradiation, surgery was performed. Patients with tumors in Stage T4 were treated to 60-65 Gy (+/- Bleomycin) followed by surgery. The outcome has so far been excellent. All but four patients, treated according to the regimen and with no initial metastases, are alive and well; two died postoperatively, one developed urinary bladder recurrence, and one liver metastases. Nineteen patients have a preserved anal function. Only one of the 9 patients also treated with an abdomino-perineal excision had viable tumor at surgery. It is concluded that patients with an anal carcinoma can be safely treated with preservation of the anus in a significant proportion of the cases, and that a combined treatment approach most likely improves survival.