Radiation Therapy and Docetaxel With Either Fluorouracil or Cisplatin as First-Line Therapy in Treating Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer That Cannot Be Removed By Surgery

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

  • No other pancreatic tumor type, including either of the following:

    • Neuroendocrine tumor
    • Ampulla of Vater carcinoma
  • Metastatic disease
• Measurable or evaluable disease

• Unresectable disease, defined as either of the following:

  • Failed prior attempt of surgical resection by laparotomy
  • Surgical resection contraindicated by radiographic criteria (e.g., arterial vascular invasion)
• No cerebral metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

• 18 to 75

Performance status

• Karnofsky 70-100%

Life expectancy

• Not specified

Hematopoietic

• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic

• Bilirubin < 1.5 times upper limit of normal
• No hepatic disturbance

Renal

• Creatinine < 120 mmol/L

Cardiovascular

• No untreated cardiac or coronary insufficiency
• No uncontrolled symptomatic arrhythmia
• No uncontrolled angina

Pulmonary

• No uncontrolled respiratory insufficiency

Other

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No other malignancy except basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• No peripheral neuropathy ≥ grade 2
• No ongoing active infection
• No other serious uncontrolled medical disorder that would preclude study treatment

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• Not specified

Chemotherapy

• No prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy

• Not specified

Radiotherapy

• No prior radiotherapy to the celiac or pancreatic area

Surgery

• See Disease Characteristics