Irinotecan in Treating Aging Patients With Solid Tumors

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed non-hematologic malignancy
• Brain metastases or primary brain tumors are eligible provided patient is not receiving steroids or antiepileptic medications
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 to 55 or 70 and over
• Performance status:
• CTC 0-2
• Life expectancy:
• Not specified
• Hematopoietic:
• Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN)
• SGOT no greater than ULN
• Renal:
• Creatinine no greater than ULN
• Other:
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• Not specified
• Chemotherapy:
• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosourea)
• No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for metastatic disease (no limit if administered in the adjuvant setting)
• No prior camptothecin
• Endocrine therapy:
• See Disease Characteristics
• Radiotherapy:
• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• No concurrent radiotherapy, including for palliation
• Surgery:
• At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery