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RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy delivers thin beams of radiation of different strengths directly to the tumor from many angles. This type of radiation therapy may reduce damage to the parotid (salivary) glands, prevent xerostomia (dry mouth), and improve quality of life. It is not yet known whether intensity-modulated radiation therapy is more effective than conventional radiation therapy in preventing xerostomia and improving quality of life in patients who have throat cancer. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying intensity-modulated radiation therapy to see how well it works compared to conventional radiation therapy in treating patients with oropharyngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer who are at risk of developing xerostomia caused by radiation therapy. OBJECTIVES: Primary * Compare the proportion of patients with oropharyngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer with xerostomia of ≥ grade 2 at one year after treatment with parotid-sparing intensity-modulated radiotherapy vs conventional radiotherapy. Secondary * Compare the degree of xerostomia by quantitative measurements of stimulated and unstimulated salivary flow in patients treated with these regimens. * Compare quality of life in patients treated with these regimens. * Compare local and regional tumor control, time to tumor progression, and overall survival of patients treated with these regimens. * Compare acute and late side effects of these regimens in these patients. OUTLINE: This is a randomized, controlled, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to participating center and site of disease (oropharynx vs hypopharynx). Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms. * Arm I: Patients undergo parotid-sparing intensity-modulated radiotherapy once daily, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks. * Arm II: Patients undergo conventional radiotherapy once daily, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks. Salivary flow measurements are performed at baseline, at week 4 during radiotherapy, and then at 2 weeks and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after the completion of radiotherapy. Quality of life is assessed at baseline, at 2 weeks, and then at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after the completion of radiotherapy. Patients are followed monthly for 1 year, every 2 months for 1 year, and then every 6 months for 3 years. Peer Reviewed and Funded or Endorsed by Cancer Research UK PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 84 patients (42 per treatment arm) will be accrued for this study.
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed oropharyngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer * Squamous cell or undifferentiated carcinoma * Stage T1-4, N0-3, M0 disease * Primary tumor requiring radical radiotherapy with parallel opposed lateral fields and bilateral cervical lymph node irradiation * Radiotherapy is either the primary therapy or post-operative (adjuvant irradiation) treatment * High-risk for radiation-induced xerostomia with conventional radiotherapy due to irradiation of the majority of both parotid glands\* NOTE: \*Estimated mean dose to both parotid glands is greater than 24 Gy by conventional radiotherapy * No bilateral N3 nodal disease * No huge primary tumor (exceeding 10 cm in diameter) * No contralateral lymphadenopathy adjacent to or involving contralateral parotid gland making parotid sparing impossible * No tumor at the base of the tongue where sparing of contralateral parapharyngeal space is contraindicated PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * Not specified Performance status * WHO 0-1 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Not specified Hepatic * Not specified Renal * Not specified Other * Able to undergo quality of life and salivary flow measurements (dependent on cognitive aptitude and long availability) * Able to complete self-assessed quality of life questionnaire * No prior or concurrent illness that would preclude study participation * No pre-existing salivary gland pathology interfering with saliva production * No other prior malignancy except nonmelanoma skin cancer PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * Not specified Chemotherapy * Prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy allowed * No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy * Not specified Radiotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * No prior radiotherapy to the head and neck region * No concurrent brachytherapy Surgery * See Disease Characteristics Other * No concurrent prophylactic amifostine or pilocarpine