OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the incidence and duration of moderate and severe acute esophagitis in patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer treated with amifostine chemoprotection plus chemotherapy and radiotherapy. II. Determine the tumor response to this regimen in these patients.
OUTLINE: Course 1: Patients receive amifostine IV over 5 minutes daily, followed by radiotherapy twice daily Monday through Friday for 3 weeks. Patients receive cisplatin IV over 30-60 minutes on day 1, and etoposide IV over 1 hour on days 1, 2, and 3. Courses 2-4: Patients receive amifostine over 15 minutes on day 1, followed by cisplatin IV over 30-60 minutes and etoposide IV over 1 hour every 3 weeks. Patients are followed at 1 month, then every 3 months until death.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: Approximately 33 patients will be accrued for this study within 1-2 years.