During the phase I component of the study, low risk patients (tumor size ≤5 cm and radiographically node negative) will receive sorafenib alone in escalating doses for at least 1 week prior to the start of conventional treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy (RT-CT). High risk patients (tumor > 5 cm or node positive) will receive sorafenib alone in escalating dose for at least 1 week prior to the start of RT-CT, as well as concurrently with RT-CT. Cohorts of 3 patients per dose level are planned. If 1/3 patients encounters a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), then that cohort will be expanded to 6 patients. If >2/3 of patients encounter a DLT, then that dose level will be declared as the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). An additional 3 patients will be entered into the dose level one below the MTD. The recommended phase II dose (RPTD) is defined as the dose level with < 1/6 patients with DLT.