Cetuximab in Treating Patients With Ménétrier Disease at High Risk of Developing Stomach Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed Ménétrier disease
• * Symptomatic disease, including gastrointestinal symptoms which interfere with daily life
• * Patient is considering surgery
• Must have failed medical therapy that was given for 6 months
• No Helicobacter pylori infection
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No NYHA class III-IV cardiovascular disease
• No clinically unstable pulmonary disease
• No chronic disease requiring ongoing therapy for stabilization, including any of the following:
• * Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
• * Malignancy
• * Thyroid disease
• * Hypertension
• * Active infections requiring systemic antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals
• * Uncontrolled seizure disorder
• * Active neurological disease
• No unstable coagulation disorders (e.g., hemorrhagic diatheses or active bleeding disorders) that require medical management
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Not specified