Cetuximab Plus Cisplatin in Treating Patients With Metastatic or Recurrent Cancer of the Head and Neck That Has Not Responded to Cisplatin Chemotherapy

RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies such as cetuximab can locate tumor cells and either kill them or deliver tumor-killing substances to them without harming normal cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining monoclonal antibody therapy with chemotherapy may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of cetuximab plus cisplatin in treating patients who have metastatic or recurrent cancer of the head and neck that has not responded to previous cisplatin-based chemotherapy.