Ph 2 Intensification Regimen for Previously Untreated, Resectable, Advanced Squamous Cell Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients must have a Karnofsky Performance Index ≥60% * Patients must be over the age of 18. * Patients must have a life expectancy of at least 6 months. * Women of childbearing age must have a negative serum pregnancy test and agree to use an effective method of contraceptive. * Patients with a cardiac history should be cleared with a medical internist. In general, patients with a history of prior bradyarrythmias, atrioventricular (AV) conduction defects or marginal cardiac function will be eligible. * Patients must have resectable stage III, stage IVA, stage IVB (without distant metastases) squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, or hypopharynx. Hypopharyngeal carcinomas may also be stage II. * Patients must not have had prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy (to the primary site or nodes). * Patients may not be planning to receive while on study concomitant immunotherapy or hormonal therapy, except oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy. * Patients must have adequate hepatic function documented by a normal serum bilirubin 0- 1.5mg/L and serum transaminases \< 4 x upper limit. * Patients must have adequate renal function documented by a serum creatinine not above upper institutional normal limits and/or 24 hour OR calculated creatinine clearance \>60 ml/min. using the following formula: (140-age) x Wt (kg) x .85 (if Estimated Creatinine Clearance = 72 x Creatinine (mg/dl) female) * Patients must have adequate bone marrow fun…