Combination Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed small cell lung cancer
• * Limited stage defined as disease restricted to one hemithorax with regional lymph node metastases including hilar, ipsilateral, and contralateral mediastinal lymph nodes
• Measurable disease
• * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR
• * At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
• * Lesions not considered measurable include the following:
• * Bone lesions
• * Leptomeningeal disease
• * Ascites
• * Pleural/pericardial effusion
• * Abdominal masses not confirmed and followed by imaging techniques
• * Cystic lesions
• * Tumor lesions in a previously irradiated area
• No clinically suspected or confirmed supraclavicular lymph node metastases
• No pleural effusions visible on plain chest radiographs, regardless of cytology
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Performance status:
• ECOG 0-2
• Life expectancy:
• Not specified
• Hematopoietic:
• Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3
• Platelet count at least 100,00/mm3
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL
• SGOT less than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Renal:
• Creatinine no greater than ULN
• Creatinine clearance no greater than 150 mL/min for men or 130 mL/min for women
• Other:
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No other currently active malignancy except non-melanoma skin cancer
• Patients must have completed therapy for any other malignancy and be considered to be at less than 30% risk of relapse
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• No concurrent filgrastim (G-CSF) during consolidation therapy
• Chemotherapy:
• No prior chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer
• No other concurrent chemotherapy
• Endocrine therapy:
• No concurrent hormonal therapy except:
• * Steroids for adrenal failure
• * Hormones for non-disease-related conditions (e.g., insulin for diabetes)
• * Intermittent use of dexamethasone as an antiemetic or as an adjunct to prophylactic cranial irradiation
• Radiotherapy:
• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior chest radiotherapy
• Surgery:
• Not specified