Surgery Followed by Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Cancer of the Pancreas

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically or cytologically proven adenocarcinoma of the exocrine pancreas excluding periampullary cancer
• Resectable malignancy must be located in a region that can be encompassed by a radiation port of 20 x 20 cm
• No evidence of extranodal metastatic disease
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Performance status:
• ECOG 0-2
• Life expectancy:
• Not specified
• Hematopoietic:
• WBC at least 3500/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
• Hepatic:
• Not specified
• Renal:
• Bilateral renal function as demonstrated by excretory urogram (IVP) or abdominal CT scan with contrast OR
• Greater than 2/3 of one functioning kidney must be shielded during radiation therapy
• Other:
• Must have adequate oral nutrition (greater than 1200 calories daily)
• Greater than 5 years since prior malignancy except:
• * Squamous cell skin cancer
• * Basal cell skin cancer
• * In situ cervical cancer
• Not pregnant or lactating
• Patients of reproductive potential must use effective birth control
• No cystic neoplasms of the pancreas
• No islet cell, periampullary or cholangiocarcinoma
• No Federal Medical Center inmates
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• Not specified
• Chemotherapy:
• No prior chemotherapy for this disease
• Endocrine therapy:
• Not specified
• Radiotherapy:
• No prior radiation therapy for this disease
• No prior radiation therapy to the abdomen
• Surgery:
• Celiotomy and standardized exploration for resectability required