Chemotherapy Plus Radiation Therapy With or Without Amifostine in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced Cancer of the Nasopharynx

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed undifferentiated nasopharyngeal cancer (UNPC)

  • Locoregionally advanced disease

    • T2b, N1 (greater than 3 cm) or N2
    • T3, N1 (greater than 3 cm) or N2
    • T4, N1 (greater than 3 cm) or N2
    • Any T, N3
  • No squamous cell histology

• At least 1 unidimensionally measurable target lesion

  • At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR
  • At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
• No evidence of distant metastases
• No signs or symptoms of CNS metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 15 to 70

Performance status:

• WHO 0-2

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• Absolute neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 150,000/mm^3
• Hemoglobin at least 12 g/dL

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• AST/ALT no greater than 2.5 times ULN

Renal:

• Creatinine clearance at least 70 mL/min
• Calcium normal

Cardiovascular:

• No hypotension or hypertension requiring therapy
• No prior myocardial infraction
• No pre-existing uncontrolled cardiac disease
• No signs of cardiac failure
• No rhythm disturbances requiring medication

Other:

• No sensory neuropathy grade 2 or greater unless due to cranial nerve
• No uncontrolled infections
• No sensitivity to aminothiol compounds
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately controlled carcinoma in situ of the cervix or basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer
• No psychological, familial, sociological, or geographical condition that would preclude study
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• No concurrent immunotherapy

Chemotherapy:

• No prior chemotherapy for UNPC

Endocrine therapy:

• No concurrent hormonal therapy except corticosteroids for antiemetic prophylaxis

Radiotherapy:

• No prior radiotherapy for UNPC

Surgery:

• No prior surgery for UNPC except cervical lymphadenectomy

Other:

• At least 1 month since prior investigational agent
• No other concurrent anticancer drugs