Stereotactic Radiosurgery in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced or Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Biopsy-confirmed\* invasive head and neck cancer, including the following primary sites: * Nasopharynx * Oropharynx * Paranasal sinus * Oral cavity * Orbit * Salivary gland NOTE: \*Biopsy must be performed prior to initiation of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) * Stage T2-4 tumor at the time of diagnosis * Primary tumor ≤ 5 cm in diameter at the time of CyberKnife® stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) * Meets one of the following criteria: * Eligible for CyberKnife® SRS as boost therapy, as defined by one of the following criteria: * Planning to undergo definitive EBRT, with or without chemotherapy, with curative intent for primary head and neck cancer * Biopsy-confirmed locally persistent disease \< 3 months after completion of definitive EBRT * Eligible for CyberKnife® SRS as salvage therapy\*, as defined by one of the following criteria: * Biopsy-confirmed locally recurrent disease occurring ≥ 6 months after the completion of radiotherapy; achieved a complete response to initial therapy by imaging or clinical examination; had \> 50% of the tumor volume in the prior irradiated volume; and received \> 45 Gy of radiotherapy * Biopsy-confirmed locally recurrent disease occurring between 6 weeks and 6 months after the completion of radiotherapy; achieved a complete response to initial therapy by imaging or clinical examination; had \< 50% of the tumor volume in the prior irradiated volume; and received \> 45 Gy of radiotherapy NOTE: \*Not a candidate for salvage surgery or brachytherapy * Anticipated total dose of radiotherapy to the spinal cord ≤ 50 Gy (including prior dose) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * Karnofsky performance status 60-100% * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * Able to achieve normal tissue tolerance to critical structures with the CyberKnife® planning system * Able to undergo CT simulation PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * See Disease Characteristics Exclusion Criteria: * No laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer * No evidence of distant metastases * No prior brachytherapy * No prior CyberKnife® SRS boost or salvage therapy * No other malignancy within the past 5 years except basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No active connective tissue disorders (e.g., lupus or scleroderma)