Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically or cytologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity,
oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx, meeting all of the following criteria:

- At least 2 mucosal sites of the oral cavity/oropharynx mucosa that will be
irradiated are assessable by visual transoral inspection

- Tumors of the larynx or hypolarynx are allowed only if it is anticipated that
the 2 index sites in the oral cavity/oropharynx mucosa will be irradiated

- Selected stage III (excluding T1, N1, M0), or IVA or IVB disease

- No distant metastases or stage IVC disease (any T, any N, M1)

- No prior squamous cell cancer of the head and neck

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- Zubrod performance status 0-1

- Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,800/mm³

- Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³

- Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 g/dL (transfusion allowed)

- Bilirubin < 1.5 mg/dL

- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) < 2 times upper
limit of normal

- Creatinine < 1.5 mg/dL

- Creatinine clearance ≥ 50 mL/min

- Able to eat at least soft solids and does not require a feeding tube for nutrition or
hydration

- Calcium normal

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

- No prior invasive malignancy (except nonmelanomatous skin cancer) unless disease free
for ≥ 3 years

- No severe, active co-morbidity, including any of the following:

- Symptomatic and/or uncontrolled cardiac disease (i.e., New York Heart
Association class III-IV cardiac disease)

- Transmural myocardial infarction within the past 6 months

- Acute bacterial or fungal infection requiring intravenous antibiotics

- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation or other respiratory illness
requiring hospitalization

- Hepatic insufficiency resulting in clinical jaundice and/or coagulation defects

- Seropositive for hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus

- Seropositive for HIV or confirmed AIDS

- History of pancreatitis

- Collagen vascular disease, such as scleroderma

- No prior allergic reaction or known sensitivity to any of the agents administered
during study dosing, including E. coli-derived products, such as any of the
following:

- Somatropin (somatren)

- Filgrastim (G-CSF)

- Insulin

- Interferon alfa-2a

- Neumega® Oprelvekin (interleukin-11)

- Interferon alfa-2b

- Pegfilgrastim

- Interferon beta-1b

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- No prior systemic chemotherapy for this cancer

- Prior chemotherapy for a different cancer is allowed

- No prior radiotherapy to a region that would result in overlap of radiation therapy
fields

- No prior radical or modified neck dissection

- No prior initial surgical treatment, excluding diagnostic biopsy of the primary site
or nodal sampling of neck disease

- No prior palifermin or other keratinocyte growth factors (i.e., velafermin or
repifermin)

- Concurrent topical anesthetics allowed

- No concurrent administration of any of the following during radiotherapy:

- 'Magic' mouthwash, 'Miracle' mouthwash, or other mouthwash solutions containing
chlorhexidine, Gelclair®, hydrogen peroxide, or diphenhydramine

- Pilocarpine hydrochloride

- Cevimeline hydrochloride

- Amifostine

- Benzydamine hydrochloride

- Interleukin-11

- Sargramostim (GM-CSF)

- Epoetin alfa

- Sucralfate in suspension form

- Tablets allowed

- Steroid rinses

- Povidone-iodine rinses

- Glutamine as a prophylactic agent for mucositis

- Other investigational agents

- Other biologic response modifiers, with the exception of hematopoietic growth
factors for the management of anemia or myelosuppression