OBJECTIVES:
* Determine the reproducibility of the surgical technique of submandibular salivary gland transfer in patients with head and neck cancer.
* Determine the rate and severity of radiation-induced xerostomia after this surgery in these patients.
* Determine the pattern of recurrence, disease-free survival, and overall survival of patients treated with this surgery followed by radiotherapy.
* Determine the quality of life of patients treated with this regimen.
OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.
Patients undergo surgical transfer of the submandibular salivary gland to the submental space.
Within 4-6 weeks after surgery, patients undergo radiotherapy once daily, 5 days a week for 5 ½ to 7 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Salivary scans are performed before surgery, at 2-3 weeks after surgery, and then at 6 months from the start of radiotherapy.
Quality of life is assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months from the start of radiotherapy.
Patients are followed every 3 months for 2 years and then every 6 months for 3 years and then annually.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 11-48 patients will be accrued for this study within 1.6 years.
