On the basis of a series of 185 patients, the authors evaluate the results of the therapeutic sequence chemotherapy-partial surgery in carcinomas of the pharyngolarynx. The action of chemotherapy is confirmed (80% clinical responses greater than 50%, 55% residual tumours or in complete histological regression). The therapeutic sequence chemotherapy-surgery gave 25% local failures and 1% lymph node failures. The development of the therapeutic strategy in carcinomas of the pharyngolarynx is considered in relation to the action of current modalities of chemotherapy.