Carcinoma of the nasal vestibule has an individual clinical character; in this retrospective analysis the data of 12 consecutive patients are reported. Small lesions were treated by surgical resection and larger tumours by intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) followed by external beam radiotherapy. One patient had a recurrence which was successfully treated surgically; six had previous or subsequent malignancies. The results of the most recent series reported in the literature are reviewed and the rationale of the IAC approach is discussed. The reported treatment policy seems effective in achieving the highest cure rate with the best functional results.