BACKGROUND: A phase II study was conducted using concurrent paclitaxel, carboplatin, and external beam radiotherapy (RT) in patients with advanced head and neck cancer. METHODS: Forty-three patients (stage III, n = 12; stage IV, n = 31) were treated with 8 cycles of weekly paclitaxel (60 mg/m(2)), carboplatin (area under the curve [AUC] = 1), and RT (1.8 Gy daily; total dose, 66-72 Gy). Patients with initially palpable lymph nodes underwent neck dissection. RESULTS: The overall clinical response rate was 91% (65% complete, 26% partial). Severe mucositis occurred in 37 (90%) patients, necessitating hospitalization in 13 (31%) patients. With a median follow-up of 49 months, the locoregional and distant failure rates were 26% and 21%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent paclitaxel, carboplatin, and RT for advanced head and neck cancer results in high complete response rates. Long-term follow-up has revealed the curative potential of this regimen, though the doses used resulted in unacceptable toxicity.