Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy in the treatment of parotid gland carcinoma. Methods: Eighty-six postoperated patients with parotid gland carcinoma( 7 in stage Ⅰ, 28 in stage Ⅱ, 33 in stage Ⅲ and 18 in stage Ⅳ) were radiated by 60Co ?-ray or linear accelerator X-ray combined with electron beam. All patients were diagnosed by pathology and followed up for more than 5 years. Results: The five year survival rate and the local control rate were 73.3% and 87.2% respectively. Poor prognosis was observed in the cases with the neoplastic classification of undifferentiated carcinoma, sequamous cell carcinoma and malignant pleomorphic adenoma, but the better prognosis was obtained in the cases with acinic cell carcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Poor prognosis was observed in the cases with stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ of clinical stage. Radiotherapy undertaken in 2 weeks after surgical operation gave higher 5- year survival ratio( 83.8%). The group given 51～60 Gy radiation showed 82.9% of five- year survival rate. Conclusion: The combination of surgery with radiation is effective in the treatment of parotid gland carcinoma.Radiation of 51～60 Gy 2 weeks after operation may result in better prognosis. Neoplastic type and clinical stage are important factors for prognosis.