Cisplatin and Docetaxel Plus Docetaxel and Radiotherapy With Amifostine for Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Inclusion Criteria:

* The patient has histologically proven primary or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma arising in the oropharynx, oral cavity, hypopharynx, larynx, or nasopharynx.
* The patient has stage III or IV disease.
* Performance status \< 2 (ECOG scale) with a life expectancy of \> 12 months.
* Age 19 years and above.
* The patient is medically fit to tolerate a course of definitive radiation therapy.
* The patient has:

  1. adequate hepatic function with bilirubin \< upper limit of normal (ULN)
  2. transaminases (SGOT and SGPT) may be up to 2.5 x ULN if alkaline phosphatase is \< ULN, or alkaline phosphatase may be up to 4 x ULN if transaminases are \< ULN
  3. adequate renal function with serum creatinine \< 1.5 mg/dl (or estimated creatinine clearance of \> 50 mL/min)
  4. normal serum calcium
  5. adequate hematologic function as: defined by an absolute neutrophil count \> 1500/ml, hemoglobin \> 8.0 g/dl, and platelet count \> 100,000/ml.
* The patient may have had a prior malignancy but must be three years from treatment.
* A history of superficial non-melanoma skin cancer or in situ carcinoma of the cervix less then three years will be allowed.
* The patient must agree to use effective contraception if procreative potential exists, and continue contraception for at least 6 months following completion of the study.
* Patient must sign informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* The patient has received radiation therapy previously to the head and neck.
* The patient has received prior chemotherapy for head and neck cancer.
* The patient is pregnant or lactating.
* Peripheral neuropathy \> Grade 2.
* Serious non-malignant disease (e.g. congestive heart failure, uncontrolled atrial fibrillation, active hepatitis).
* Any underlying psychological condition that would prohibit the understanding and rendering of informed consent.
* Patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity reaction to docetaxel or other drugs formulated with polysorbate 80 must be excluded.