Inclusion Criteria:

- biopsy-confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, oral cavity or
hypopharynx

- stage III/IV, T3-4, Nx M0

- < 70 yrs

- glomerular filtration rate (GFR) >60

- WHO 0-1

- no previous malignancies except for adequately treated basal cell carcinoma of the
skin and carcinoma in situ of the cervix

- adequate bone marrow function, adequate hepatic function,informed consent

- >18 years

Exclusion Criteria:

- expected failure from follow-up

- previous malignancies except for adequately treated basal cell carcinoma of the skin
and carcinoma in situ of the cervix

- expected inability to complete either one of the treatment arms

- pregnancy or lactation

- patients (m/f) with reproductive potential not implementing adequate contraceptive
measures

- prior surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy for this tumor

- contraindications or serious concomitant diseases preventing the safe administration
of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy or are likely to interfere with the study
assessments

- known active symptomatic fungal, bacterial and/or viral infections including HIV

- concomitant (or with 4 weeks before randomisation) administration of any other
experimental drug

- concurrent treatment with any other anti-cancer therapy

- prior treatment with one or more of the active compounds