Predicting Toxicity in Elderly Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

This study aims to predict which older patients with head and neck cancer are most likely to experience serious side effects from radiation treatment. By identifying these patients ahead of time, doctors can better tailor treatment plans to protect their health. **You may be eligible if...** - You are 70 years old or older - You have been diagnosed with squamous cell or undifferentiated head and neck cancer (such as cancer of the mouth, throat, voice box, or nasal passages) at stage III or IV - Your treatment plan involves radiation therapy, with or without chemotherapy or a drug called cetuximab (non-surgical treatment) - Your cancer can be measured on scans **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You have had another cancer (other than certain low-risk cancers like early prostate cancer or skin cancer) in the past 2 years - You are in very poor physical condition (ECOG score of 3–4, meaning you are mostly confined to bed) - You have previously been treated with systemic therapy for a different primary tumor Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.