BACKGROUND. Between April 1963 and July 1991, 18 patients were treated for spermatic cord sarcoma. The histologic subtype distribution was: 7 leiomyosarcoma, 7 liposarcoma, 2 malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and 1 mesothelioma. METHODS. All patients underwent surgical resection: 16 radical orchiectomy and local excision. Nine were treated with orchiectomy alone, and 9 received adjuvant radiation. The radiation fields encompassed the ipsilateral iliac and inguinal lymph nodes, vas deferens, and hemiscrotum in 7 patients, and iliac and inguinal lymph nodes in 2 patients. RESULTS. The actuarial 5 and 8-year disease free survivals for the 18 patients were 77% and 58%, with an overall survival of 78% and 70%, respectively. The 5 and 8year locoregional control rates were 82% and 61%. Five of 9 patients treated with surgery alone developed locoregional recurrence while none of the nine who had adjuvant radiation relapsed. The median follow-up for the irradiated group, however, was shorter (123 vs 63 months) and staging studies more complete. These potential biases are discussed. CONCLUSION. In this series, relapse was common after orchiectomy alone. Adjuvant radiation therapy may reduce the incidence of locoregional failure. Cancer 1996;