Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with histologically confirmed cancer of the head and neck. Patients with
salivary gland tumors and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin are also eligible.
(Note: Any patient with a diagnosis of aggressive squamous cell carcinoma of the skin
and determined to be surgically resectable will be considered for eligibility. These
patients are typically seen in the Head & Neck surgery clinic and decisions for study
consideration will be based on consultations with the department of Head & Neck
surgery.)

2. The patient must have biopsy-accessible disease.

3. Patients must be surgical candidates (either definitive or palliative setting).

4. Patients may have received prior therapy including cytotoxic chemotherapy (e.g.
platinum drugs and taxanes) and radiation therapy.

5. Patients must have a performance score (ECOG) of 0-2.

6. Patients should have adequate bone marrow function, as defined by peripheral
granulocyte count of >/= 1,000/mm³, and a platelet count of >/= 50,000/mm³.Patients
must have adequate liver function with a bilirubin normal (ULN). Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
must be
7. Patients should have adequate renal function (serum creatinine
8. Age >/= 18 years

9. Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document
indicating that they are aware of the investigational nature of the study, in keeping
with institutional policy

10. Women of childbearing potential must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or
barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the
duration of study participation. Childbearing potential will be defined as women who
have had menses within the past 12 months,who have not had tubal ligation or
bilateral oophorectomy. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect that she is
pregnant while participating in this study,she should inform her treating physician
immediately.The patient,if a man,agrees to use effective contraception or abstinence.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with prior exposure to small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors or
EGFR-targeted antibodies within the past 6 months.

2. Patients for whom, in the opinion of the treating surgeon, the administration of
erlotinib would cause a deleterious delay in surgical treatment.

3. Patients with uncompensated congestive cardiac failure.

4. Patients with an organ allograft.

5. Patients with a serious concurrent infection or illness including, but not limited
to, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness that could
limit compliance with study requirements.

6. Female patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding

7. Patients currently on chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or therapy with monoclonal
antibodies or other investigational agents with anti-tumor activity