Phase I Study of IMRT and Molecular-Image Guided Adaptive Radiation Therapy for Advanced HNSCC

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologic or cytologic confirmation of head and neck malignancy without clinical or radiographic evidence of metastatic disease
* Locally advanced HN SCC, stages III, IV, and bulky (\> 27 cm\^3 volume) stage II, excluding larynx and nasopharynx, of no more than 150 cm\^3 volume base on CT scan
* All patients must be informed of the investigational nature of this study and must give written informed consent in accordance with institutional and federal guidelines
* Candidate for chemotherapy
* Zubrod performance score of 0 or 1
* Absolute granulocyte count (AGC) \>= 2000 cells/mm\^3
* Platelet count \>= 100,000 cells/mm\^3
* Hemoglobin \> 8.0 g/dl based upon CBC/differential obtained within 2 weeks prior to registration on study
* Serum creatinine =\< 1.5 mg/dl or measured or calculated creatinine clearance \>= 50 ml/min
* Negative pregnancy test within 2 weeks prior to registration for women of childbearing potential

Exclusion Criteria:

* Prior invasive malignancy except non-melanomatous skin cancers unless patient has been disease free for at least 3 years
* Prior cancer treatment for this cancer, including gross total tumor excision
* Prior radiation treatment to the HN region
* Patients with known syndromes that alter radiosensitivity
* Any medical contraindications for chemotherapy
* Pregnant or lactating women
* Women (of childbearing potential) and men who are sexually active and are not willing/able to use a medically acceptable form of contraception throughout the treatment and 60 days thereafter