DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) from any primary site

  • No nasopharyngeal carcinoma of histologic types WHO 2 or 3
  • No squamous cell carcinoma that originated in the skin
• Recurrent disease, incurable disease as determined by surgery or radiation, or metastatic disease

• Patients must have measurable disease based on RECIST

  • Disease in previously irradiated sites is considered measurable if there has been unequivocal disease progression or biopsy-proven residual carcinoma after radiotherapy
  • Persistent disease after radiotherapy must be biopsy proven at least 8 weeks after completion of radiotherapy (radiographic findings are acceptable providing that clearcut measurements can be made)

• Patients must be progression-free for at least 6 months after completion of chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy plus cetuximab given as part of initial potential curative therapy (if received such prior therapy)

  • At least 6 months since completion of prior concurrent radiotherapy plus cetuximab (8 weeks for cetuximab given as part of adjuvant regimen post radiotherapy)
  • Patients having progression after 2 courses of induction chemotherapy are not eligible
• No tumors that invade major vessels (e.g., the carotid) as shown unequivocally by imaging studies (i.e., tumor crosses fat boundary)
• No central (i.e., within 2 cm from the hilum) lung metastases that are cavitary as shown unequivocally by imaging studies
• No known brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• ECOG performance status 0-1
• ANC ≥ 1,500/mm^3
• Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 g/dL
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3
• Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min
• Total bilirubin normal

• AST or ALT and alkaline phosphatase must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Alkaline phosphatase normal AND AST or ALT ≤ 5 x upper limit of normal (ULN)
  • Alkaline phosphatase > 1 but ≤ 2.5 x ULN AND AST or ALT > 1 but ≤ 1.5 x ULN
  • Alkaline phosphatase > 2.5 but ≤ 5 x ULN AND AST or ALT normal
• Urine protein:creatinine ratio ≤ 0.5 OR 24-hour urine protein < 1,000 mg
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception

• Patients who meet the following criteria are excluded:

  • Any prior history of bleeding related to the current head and neck cancer
  • History of gross hemoptysis (bright red blood of ½ teaspoon or more per episode of coughing) ≤ 3 months prior to enrollment
• No history of coagulopathy or hemorrhagic disorders
• No history of thrombosis (e.g., pulmonary embolism or deep venous thrombosis) currently requiring therapeutic anticoagulation (prophylactic use of warfarin 1 mg/day is allowed)
• INR < 1.5 at registration
• No hypercalcemia related to head and neck cancer

• Patients with a prior history of squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma of the skin or in situ carcinoma of the cervix must have been curatively treated

  • Patients with a history of other prior malignancy must have been treated with curative intent and must have remained disease free for 5 years post diagnosis
• No current peripheral neuropathy ≥ grade 2
• Patients must not have any co-existing condition that would preclude full compliance with the study
• No prior history of severe hypersensitivity reaction to docetaxel or other drugs formulated with polysorbate 80

• Patients must have a blood pressure (BP) ≤ 150/90 within 2 weeks prior to randomization

  • Patients with a history of hypertension must be well-controlled upon study entry (BP ≤ 150/90 mm Hg) on a stable regimen of anti-hypertensive therapy
• No significant traumatic injury within the past 28 days
• No history of abdominal fistula, gastrointestinal perforation, or intra-abdominal abscess within 28 days prior to registration
• No serious nonhealing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture
• No unstable angina or myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
• No symptomatic congestive heart failure or New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-IV heart disease
• No history of aortic dissection or presence of aneurysm > 6 cm (or at high risk for rupture)
• No serious cardiac arrhythmia requiring medication (history of chronic atrial fibrillation or other atrial arrhythmia with controlled rate on medication is allowed)
• No clinically significant peripheral vascular disease manifested by intermittent claudication or need for vascular intervention
• No history of any CNS cerebrovascular ischemia or stroke within the past 6 months
• No active serious infection
• No history of a serious human anti-human antibody (HAHA) reaction
• Patients with known hypersensitivity to Chinese hamster ovary cell products or other recombinant human antibodies are not eligible

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics
• Patients must have recovered to grade 1 or better from the effects of any prior surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy AND > 4 weeks post-surgery

• No more than one prior radiotherapy regimen, curative or palliative, to the head and neck allowed

  • At least 6 months since prior radiotherapy in combination with chemotherapy and/or cetuximab
  • At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy given alone
• At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy to other areas
• No prior bevacizumab

• No prior chemotherapy or biologic/molecular-targeted therapy for recurrent or metastatic SCCHN

  • Patients may have received one regimen of induction, concurrent chemoradiotherapy, and/or adjuvant chemotherapy as part of initial potential curative therapy

    • A minimum of 6 months is required between last dose of chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy and study treatment
• No major surgical procedure or open biopsy within 28 days prior to study enrollment, or anticipation of need for major surgical procedure during the course of the study
• More than 4 weeks since prior surgery
• No other concurrent investigational agent

• Patients must not be receiving chronic daily treatment with aspirin (> 325 mg/day) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) known to inhibit platelet function

  • The use of anti-platelet agents (e.g., dipyridamole [Persatine], ticlopidine [Ticlid], or clopidogrel [Plavix]) is allowed only if patient is not receiving aspirin or NSAIDs known to inhibit platelet function
• No HIV-positive patients on combination antiretroviral therapy
• No other concurrent chemotherapy, immunotherapy, antitumor hormonal therapy (excluding contraceptives and replacement steroids), radiotherapy, or experimental medications
• No concurrent amifostine
• No concurrent bisphosphonates for bone metastasis unless initiated > 3 months before study entry