Optimized Intensity Modulated Irradiation for Head and Neck Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * All patients must have histologically confirmed invasive cancer of the head and neck. * Irradiation to both neck sides is required. * Standard radiation techniques would irradiate most of both parotid glands to a high dose (\>50 Gy). Patients with oropharyngeal, oral, nasopharyngeal, hypopharyngeal and advanced laryngeal cancer are expected to fulfill this requirement. * Patients with resectable disease that is either measurable, evaluable or non-measurable disease (post-operative) will be eligible. * Karnofsky performance status \>60 * Patients receiving or not receiving chemotherapy are eligible. * All patients must sign an informed consent. * Pre-treatment laboratory criteria: * WBC (White Blood Cell) \> 3500/ul, granulocyte \> 1500/ul. * Platelet count \> 100,000/ul. * Creatinine clearance \> 60 cc/min. to receive cisplatin; creatinine clearance 30-59 cc/min to receive carboplatin. * Bilirubin \< 1.5 mg% with no evidence of obstructive liver disease. * AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) and ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) equal to or less than 2.5 x upper limit of normal. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who received past irradiation to the head and neck are not eligible. * Prior head and neck malignancy or history of other prior non-head and neck malignancy within the past 3 years. * Prior head and neck radiation or prior chemotherapy. * Documented evidence of distant metastases. * Active infection. * Pregnancy or lactation; patients must use effective contraception during the course of the clinical trial. * Any medical or psychiatric illness which in the opinion of the principal investigator would compromise the patients ability to tolerate this treatment. * Patients residing in prison. * Age \< 18 years.