Prospective randomized study in order to compare intravenous versus subcutaneous administration of amifostine in patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Salivary flow will be evaluated during few years after the treatment by a clinical evaluation, the measure of the weight of saliva and a patient benefit questionnaire cotation.

Prospective randomized study in order to compare intravenous (IV) versus subcutaneous (SC) administration of amifostine in patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. IV administration of amifostine is 200 mg/m2/day in a short 3-min infusion 15 to 30 min before each fraction of radiotherapy. SC administration is 500mg/day in two slow 1.25 ml injections at two different sites 20 to 60 min before each radiotherapy fraction. Procedure requires antiemetic treatment and blood pressure monitoring in both arms.

Inclusion Criteria:

• newly diagnosed squamous cell head and neck cancer
• inclusion of at least 75% of both parotid glands within radiation fields that would receive at least 40 Gy
• Neutrophils ≥ 2000 / mm, Platelets ≥ 100,000 / mm3, Creatinine < 130 / mmol.L-1, Transaminase ≤ 3 x upper limit

Exclusion Criteria:

• Distant metastases
• Prophylactic use of pilocarpine
• Concomitant chemotherapy