The treatment of the primary tumor in 110 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis seen between 1956 and 1989 was reviewed. Small tumors had generally been treated by penis conserving methods, such as circumcision, local excision and external radiotherapy alone or after circumcision or local excision. Since 1982 we have used the neodymium:YAG laser as a penis conserving method. In 51 patients (46%) penis conserving treatment had been performed and 59 (54%) had undergone some form of amputation. Overall, 16 of 110 patients (15%) had local recurrence. The risk of local recurrence after penis conserving therapy was significantly related to T category, with 10% local recurrences in stage T1 tumors in contrast to 32% and 100% in stages T2 and T3 tumors, respectively. All of the recurrences in patients with stage T1 tumors were strictly local and all were salvaged. In our view penis conserving therapy is a safe procedure in patients with stage T1 tumors and should always be attempted first. Amputation is considered to be overtreatment in these cases. Of 6 recurrences in the conservatively treated stage T2 disease group 4 were strictly local. These were all well or moderately differentiated tumors, not exceeding 3.5 cm. in diameter. We suggest penile conservation for this subgroup of T2 tumors. However, partial amputation is recommended for poorly differentiated stage T2 tumors. Local failure was observed in all stage T3 tumors treated with external radiation. In general, penis conservation in stage T3 tumors should not be attempted with the treatment modalities available to date. Comparing the different methods of penis conservation, used in 49 stages T1 and T2 tumors, no difference in local recurrence rate (18%) was observed among surgery, laser and external beam radiation. In view of the low morbidity, cutting and coagulation properties and minimal tissue changes, use of the neodymium:YAG laser would be our first choice of treatment modality. Penile conservation should be attempted only when frequent and long lasting followup is guaranteed, since local recurrences can appear as late as 8 years after primary treatment.