Can a shorter radiation course tame side effects in head and neck cancer?

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Recurrent or second upper aerodigestive tract carcinoma in an area previously irradiated at a dose of \>= 50 Gy * Squamous cell carcinoma * No grade III or IV sequels linked to the first radiation therapy (excepted radiation sequels of salivary glands) * Relapse or second carcinoma (clinically invasive and/or lymph node recurrence \>= 3 cm and/or the association of a local and lymph node recurrence * Oral cavity, pharynx, larynx (if rT4), cervical region (if \>3cm) * No distant metastases confirmed by chest CT scan, abdominal ultrasound (or CT scan) in case of abnormal liver function, and bone scintigraphy in case of local symptoms * Surgery in the previously irradiated region allowing a macroscopically adequate resection * Surgery and vascular protection with a myocutaneous or free flap * Interval \> = 6 months between the end of the first radiation treatment and surgery in the previously irradiated area * Wound healing allowing reirradiation within an interval of 8 weeks after surgery in the previouly irradiated area. * No participation in a clinical trial during the 30 days preceding inclusion * Age between 18 et 70 years. * Performance Status 0 or 1 according to WHO criteria. * Hematological function : neutrophils \* 2 x 106/l, platelets : \* 100 x 106/l, hemoglobin : \* 10 g/dl (or 6.2 mmol/l) * Liver function : total bilirubin (normal) ; ASAT (SGOT) and ALAT (SGPT) \* 2.5 \* upper limit of normal (ULN) in each centre ; alkaline phosphatases \* 5 \* ULN. Patients whose ASAT or ALAT levels \> 1.5 \* ULN associated with alkaline phosphatases \* 2.5 \* ULN are not eligible for the trial * Renal function : serum creatinine \* 120 \*mol/l (1.4 mg/dl) ; if creatinine level is \> 120 \*mol/l, creatinine clearance should be \* 60 ml/min. * Written consent of participants Exclusion Criteria: * Superficial recurrence not associated with a lymph node relapse, isolated lymph node recurrence measuring less than 3 cm * Distant metastases * Grade 3 or 4 sequels of first radiation therapy (excepted salivary gland sequels) * Macroscopically inadequate surgery * Delay in wound healing obliging reirradiation to be postponed beyond 8 weeks. * \> Grade 3 Toxicity induced by chemotherapy administered during a previous treatment * Hypersensitivity to Erbitux * Concomitant severe comorbidities (non exhaustive list) * Unstable cardiac comorbidity in spite of treatment. * Neurological or psychiatric history such as dementia, convulsions. * Severe uncontrolled infection * Obstructive bronchopneumopathy which required hospitalisation during the year preceding inclusion. * Factors (psychological, familial, social or geographic) likely to hinder patient compliance with the study protocol and follow-up are considered exclusion criteria. These factors should be discussed with the patient before enrollment in the trial * Women who are pregnant, breast-feeding or of birthgiving age without effective contraception