Radiation Therapy Following Surgery in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Second Primary Cancer of the Head and Neck Following Previous Radiation Therapy

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the mucosa, recurrent (primary and/or nodal), or a second primary (positive or negative nodal), of one of the following: Oral cavity Oropharynx Hypopharynx Larynx Paranasal sinus Neck disease of unknown origin No distant metastases No primary in the nasopharynx Must have complete gross resection of disease Must have positive final margins, soft tissue extension of primary, positive extracapsular extension of lymph node disease, or at least 4 positive nodes without extracapsular extension Reirradiation field must overlap the previous field for a minimum of 3 cm in height, width, and length At least 6 months since prior radiotherapy with an overlap volume of at least 45 Gy No grade 3 or 4 toxicity for the following organ tissues: RTOG grade 3 or 4 skin, subcutaneous tissue, larynx, joint, or RTOG grade 4 mucous membrane or bone from prior radiotherapy Radiotherapy must begin within 6-12 weeks of surgery Prior radiotherapy records must be available PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Other: Not pregnant No history of invasive malignancy that would be expected to cause death within 3 years PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: Not specified Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Surgery: See Disease Characteristics