The majority of head and neck cancer patients present with more advanced stages III or IV disease. The treatment of cancers of the head and neck can have profound consequences with regard to functional abilities such as speech and eating. In the treatment of both locally advanced HNSCC and sites where organ preservation is desirable, radiation therapy has been a major method of treatment. However, as a single modality, radiation therapy can cure fewer than 30% of patients with advanced disease. Attempts to improve the outcome of locally advanced HNSCC have generally added chemotherapy to radiotherapy. However, the optimal manner to integrate chemotherapy into the plan of care has been controversial. Chemotherapy has been used most commonly as either induction therapy preceding radiation, or more recently as concomitant therapy along with radiation. Induction chemotherapy has been associated with high response rates of 60-90%, but no significant change in loco-regional control or survival.Clinical trials incorporating chemotherapy with concurrent radiation have recently generated considerable interest. To accomplish both loco-regional control and reduce systemic metastasis, this trial proposes induction chemotherapy followed by concomitant chemotherapy-radiation with an escalating dose of docetaxel in patients with locally advanced previously untreated HNSCC.

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.