Between January 1985 and December 1986 320 patients previously treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, pharynx or larynx made 1200 follow-up visits. During this period 25 recurrences, 4 distant metastases and 2 second primaries were diagnosed. Seven patients received further treatment with curative intention, but only 4 patients are alive with no evidence of disease 3 to 23 months after salvage surgery. Indiscriminate follow-up of all patients with head and neck carcinoma over an extended period of time does not appear to be warranted.