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.