Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer That Cannot Be Removed By Surgery

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically\* or cytologically\* confirmed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx, including any of the following histologic variants: * Spindle cell carcinoma * Poorly differentiated keratin-positive carcinoma * Lymphoepithelioma NOTE: \*Biopsy or primary tumor and/or fine needle aspiration of the metastatic lymph node required * Original or second primary tumor * Recurrent neck metastases with unknown primary allowed * Locally recurrent disease * Measurable disease * Unresectable disease * Attempted surgical resection allowed provided surgery was performed ≥ 3 months ago, wound is completely healed, and there is no sign of carotid exposure * Must have had prior radiotherapy for SCC of the head and neck with \> 75% of the present tumor volume in areas irradiated at doses ≥ 45 Gy but ≤ 75 Gy * Able to successfully re-irradiate the area of the gross tumor volume without exceeding lifetime spinal cord dose of 54 Gy as determined by physical examination and CT scan and/or MRI performed within the past 8 weeks * First recurrence occurred \> 6 months after completion of radiotherapy * More than 1 recurrence allowed provided the above criteria for first recurrence has been met * No primary tumor of the nasopharynx or salivary gland * No distant metastases by history or physical examination, chest CT scan, and CT scan or MRI of the tumor site * Patients with equivocal pulmonary nod…