This study aims to test adding chemotherapy (using drugs like carboplatin and paclitaxel) or chemo-immunotherapy (adding cemiplimab) to the usual surgery for patients with advanced head and neck cancer. This type of cancer, called squamous cell carcinoma, has returned or persisted after initial treatment. Carboplatin and cisplatin are medications that kill or slow cancer cell growth. Paclitaxel stops cancer cells from dividing. Cemiplimab is an immunotherapy drug that helps the body's immune system fight cancer. Salvage surgery is performed to remove tumor tissue after other treatments have failed. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
- This study involves several visits, including surgery and follow-up every few months for 4 years.
- There are potential risks, such as side effects from drugs and surgery.
- Patients may need to undergo blood tests, CT and PET scans during the study.
Eligibility: Patients must be 18 or older, with confirmed locally recurrent or persistent cancer, and have no distant metastasis. Prior radiation therapy is allowed if completed over 6 months before joining the study.