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

You may be eligible if

• 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