Radiation Therapy, Combination Chemotherapy, and Amifostine in Treating Patients With Head and Neck Cancer
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
1996-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Drugs used in
chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or
die. Chemoprotective drugs, such as amifostine, may protect normal cells from the side
effects of radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
PURPOSE: Phase I/II trial to study the effectiveness of radiation therapy plus combination
chemotherapy and amifostine in treating patients who have stage II, stage III, or stage IV
head and neck cancer that cannot be surgically removed.