The purpose of this study is to find out if lower doses of radiation may help reduce the side effects of radiation therapy in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy in people with HPV-positive throat cancer. The chemotherapy drugs used in this study include cisplatin, carboplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (5- FU), paclitaxel and abraxane- (Albumin-bound Paclitaxel).
Pathologically (histologically or cytologically) proven diagnosis of HPV associated squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (tonsil, base of tongue, or oropharyngeal walls) from biopsy, surgical resection or excisional biopsy regardless of margin status.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the neck of unknown primary is allowed with excision biopsy of a lymph node (or core biopsy) or consent from the PI or co-PI
Patient must have excisional biopsy or core biopsy done in order to be on protocol
Subjects must have clinically or radiographically evident measurable gross disease at either the primary tumor site or nodal stations.
Subjects with prior head and neck radiation therapy
Subjects with simultaneous primary cancers outside of the oropharynx
Prior invasive malignancy (except non-melanomatous skin cancer) unless disease free for 3 years or if cure rate from treatment at 5 years to be 90% or greater
Prior systemic chemotherapy for the study cancer; note that prior chemotherapy for a different cancer is allowable