A Phase I/II Study of the Use of Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) in Cancer of the Thyroid, Larynx and Hypopharynx

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Newly diagnosed histologically confirmed squamous cell or undifferentiated carcinoma of the head and neck. 2. Newly diagnosed histologically confirmed papillary,follicular, undifferentiated or medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. 3. Tumours arising from the oral larynx or hypopharynx requiring radical radiation of the primary tumour by parallel opposed lateral fields, and bilateral cervical lymph node irradiation. 4. High risk of radiation induced xerostomia with conventional radiotherapy due to the irradiation of the majority of both parotid glands (defined as estimated mean dose to both parotid glands greater than 26 Gy using conventional radiotherapy technique). 5. Radiotherapy either as primary therapy or post-operative (only for thyroid carcinoma). Techniques to be detailed by each centre. Neo-adjuvant and concomitant chemotherapy are permitted. 6. Stage T1-4, N1-3, M0 disease 7. Zubrod Performance Status 0-2 Exclusion Criteria: 1. Previous radiotherapy to the head and neck region 2. Previous malignancy except non-melanoma skin cancer 3. Previous or concurrent illness which in the investigators opinion would interfere with either completion of therapy or follow-up 4. Prophylactic use of amifostine or pilocarpine is not allowed 5. Brachytherapy is not allowed as part of the treatment