1. The central failures in Stage I carcinoma of the cervix are so rare that a definite cause cannot be determined. 2. The majority of central failures in Stage II carcinoma of the cervix occurred in patients who had central bulky disease, endocervical disease, or a positive endometrial biopsy. 3. Almost none of the patients who had a conservative hysterectomy for bulky endocervical disease had central recurrences. 4. There appears to be a small group of patients who developed new in situ lesions, either within the treated volume or in the lower vagina, that eventually evolved into a new invasive carcinoma. These were managed either by radical hysterectomy, exenteration, or total vaginectomy, whichever was appropriate. There were instances of long time survivors free of disease following these procedures.