Patients (30) with recurrent primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma were reirradiated between 1949 and 1976. Twenty eventually demonstrated recurrence at or near the primary site, involving the nasopharynx in 4 and the CNS in 16. Long-term palliation was often achieved, and there were no severe complications except for 1 patient who died of necrosis of the base of the skull. The most frequent problems were hearing loss and trismus; necrosis of the nasopharynx was seen in only 2 patients. With therapy in the range of 18-25 MeV, significant palliation and an occasional cure can be achieved without excessive risk. Recurrent disease involving the skull may be controlled for several years using current techniques.