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, fa…