BACKGROUND: The interest in the treatment of benign diseases with radiotherapy has grown particularly in the Western part of the world. Questions about the effectiveness and risks of radiotherapy for these disorders have to be answered in the light of new information from clinical research, dose calculations and risk estimates. New indications for irradiation of non-malignant diseases, e.g. vascular disorders, such as macular degeneration and prevention of stent restenosis, are appearing. As a starting point for further discussions and publications in this area, the authors, with the help of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO), performed a survey of current practice and of opinion amongst ESTRO members. METHODS: A questionnaire was circulated in 1996 to 1348 institutes listed in the 1995 ESTRO directory asking whether the respondents considered a list of the 28 most common benign disorders as being a good indication for radiotherapy. Details of the frequency of such treatments and of treatment schedules used were requested. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A large variation in indications and treatment schedules was detected throughout the world. This variation confirms the inadequate information on which such treatments are based and stresses the importance of careful clinical studies and trials as well as clear understanding of any risks involved.