Electroporation Therapy With Bleomycin in Treating Patients With Pancreatic Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas Unresectable disease by exploratory laparotomy Involvement of the superior mesenteric artery or occlusion of the superior mesenteric vein-portal vein confluence No extrapancreatic metastases by ultrasound, CT scan, or laparotomy Tumor must be accessible for direct injection of study drug and placement of electrode array
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Any age Performance status: Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: AST and ALT no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal No impaired hepatic function Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL No impaired renal function Cardiovascular: No impaired cardiac function Pulmonary: No compromised pulmonary function No pulmonary condition that would potentially require the use of high FIO2 levels Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study No prior reaction to bleomycin No fever, infection, or other medical condition that would preclude study Not at high risk for complications associated with abdominal surgery
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior lifetime cumulative dose of bleomycin greater than 400 U Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: Not specified Surgery: See Disease Characteristics