Between 1973 and 1993, 1355 consecutive head & neck cancer patients were diagnosed and treated with a multidisciplinary approach, and followed until death or until 10 years with no event of disease. Primary patients incidence site were 615 in supraglottis; 280, oral cavity; 254, glottis; 126, hypopharynx; 33, oropharynx, and 47, nasopharynx. Local relapse rate was 20% and node-regional relapse rate other 15%. Distant metastases were observed in 6% of patients, mainly arising from nasopharynx (23%), followed by hypopharynx (11%). Main organ involved was lung (50%).Median follow-up was 10 years (range 4 months to 15 years). Cancer cure was observed after 5 years in glottis, supraglottis, mouth and nasopharynx cancer and after 212 years in oropharynx and hypopharynx. Highest cure rate was 80% in glottis, followed by 70% in supraglottis, 45% in mouth, 30% in nasopharynx, 25% in oropharynx, and 20% in hypopharynx.Second primary was observed in 7% and a third primary in 0.6% of the patients. Only in 7 patients the second or third primary was seen after 5 year of follow-up.In head & neck cancer, curability is observed after 5 years from definitive therapy in glottis, supraglottis, mouth and nasopharynx, and earlier in oropharynx and hypopharynx. Second and third neoplasia are the main problem after 5 years of follow-up.