Chemo/XRT +/- Amifostine to Assess Outcomes Related to Xerostomia, Mucositis, & Dysphagia

Summary

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Amifostine may decrease the side effects caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It is not yet known whether chemotherapy and radiation therapy are more effective with or without amifostine in treating head and neck cancer. PURPOSE: This randomized phase II trial is studying amifostine to see how well it works compared with standard care in reducing side effects in patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy for stage III or stage IV head and neck cancer.

Timeline

Start

2006-01

Primary completion

2008-08

Completion

2008-08

Drugs

Indications