Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 or older * Willing and able to provide written informed consent * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2 * Histologically or cytologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma * Primary tumor site includes oral cavity, oropharynx, nasal cavity, salivary glands (excluding parotid), hypopharynx, or larynx and primary unknown * Patients must be deemed suitable for HD cisplatin therapy based on tumor characteristics, clinical condition and comorbidities in the judgement of the treating medical oncologist. * Patients must be planned to receive radical intent radiation treatment based on clinical condition, comorbidities and tumor characteristics in the judgment of the treating radiation oncologist * Adequate organ and marrow function independent of transfusion for at least 7 days prior to randomization defined as: * Hemoglobin \> 80 g/L; Absolute neutrophil count \>1.5x10⁹ /L, platelets \>100x10⁹/L; Bilirubin \< 35 umol/L; AST or ALT \< 3 x the upper limit of normal; Calculated creatinine clearance (as determined by Cockcroft- Gault) \> 50 ml/min Males: Creatinine Clearance = Weight (kg) x (140 - Age) (mL/min) 72 x serum creatinine (mg/dL) Females: Creatinine Clearance = Weight (kg) x (140 - Age) x 0.85 (mL/min) 72 x serum creatinine (mg/dL) * Patient must be assessed at head and neck cancer multidisciplinary clinic (with assessment by radiation oncologist and surgeon) and presented at multidisciplinary tumor board prior to randomization. Exclusion Criteria: * Serious medical comorbidities or other contraindications to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. * Prior history of head and neck cancer within 5 years. * Nasopharyngeal primary confirmed or suspected. * Severe hearing loss as determined clinically Pre-existing use of hearing aids. * Peripheral neuropathy .grade 2 (CTCAE v4.02). * Prior or planned neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to CRT. * Prior head and neck radiation at any time. * Distant metastatic disease. * Inability to attend full course of radiotherapy or follow-up visits. * Prior invasive malignant disease unless disease-free for at least 5 years or more, with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer or in-situ carcinoma. * Unable or unwilling to complete QOL questionnaires. * Pregnant or lactating women. * Unable to use dual method of contraception.