Paclitaxel Albumin-Stabilized Nanoparticle Formulation and Carboplatin Followed By Chemoradiation in Treating Patients With Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histological or cytological documentation of recurrent head and neck cancer requiring regional therapy
* Recurrent or second primary, previously irradiated squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) without clinically measurably metastatic disease
* Prior radiation therapy completed \>= 4 months, and/or chemotherapy completed \>= 1 month before study entry, and patient should have recovered from any adverse effects
* Predominance of disease that is amenable to radiotherapy
* Measurable disease prior to induction chemotherapy
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of one or less
* Life expectancy of greater than 12 weeks
* Women of childbearing potential and sexually active males must use an effective contraception method during treatment and for three months after completing treatment
* Negative serum or urine beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) pregnancy test at screening for patients of childbearing potential
* Patients must have \< grade 2 pre-existing peripheral neuropathy (per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events \[CTCAE\])
* Leukocyte \>= 3,000/ul
* Absolute neutrophil count \>= 1,500/ul
* Platelets \>= 1000,000/ul
* Total bilirubin =\< 1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal
* Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase \[SGOT\])/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase \[SGPT\]) \< 2.5 x institutional upper limit of normal
* Creatinine clearance (CrCl) \> 45 mL/min

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previously untreated patients with locoregional-only disease are not eligible
* Patients who have had chemotherapy within 4 weeks prior to entering the study, or those who have not recovered from adverse events due to agents administered more than 4 weeks earlier
* Patients may not be receiving any other investigational agents
* History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical composition agents used in the study
* Patients with pre-existing grade 2 or greater peripheral neuropathy, defined as sensory alteration or paresthesia (including tingling), interfering with function
* Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements