DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically diagnosed primary systemic amyloidosis based on the following:

  • Deposition of fibrillary protein with Congo red positive stain or characteristic electron microscopic appearance
  • Monoclonal light chain protein (Bence-Jones protein) in serum or urine or immunohistochemical studies
  • Evidence of tissue involvement other than carpal tunnel syndrome

  • Diagnostic histologic material available for central pathology review

    • Confirmation of tissue diagnosis at all sites of organ dysfunction encouraged
• No senile, secondary, localized, dialysis-related, or familial amyloidosis
• No known therapy-related myelodysplasia

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• Adult

Performance status:

• SWOG 0-4

Hematopoietic:

• Not specified

Hepatic:

• Not specified

Renal:

• Not specified

Cardiovascular:

• No NYHA class IV status

Other:

• No uncontrolled diabetes
• No active peptic ulcer disease
• No medical condition that precludes high-dose steroids
• No second malignancy within 5 years except:
• Adequately treated nonmelanomatous skin cancer
• In situ cervical cancer
• Adequately treated stage I/II cancer in complete remission
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Effective contraception required of fertile patients
• Blood/body fluid analyses within 14 days prior to registration
• Imaging/exams for tumor measurement within 28 days prior to registration
• Other screening exams within 42 days prior to registration

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• No prior interferon alfa

Chemotherapy

• Prior melphalan allowed, but recovered from effects
• At least 4 weeks since cytotoxic therapy and recovered

Endocrine therapy

• Prior prednisone allowed, but recovered from effects
• At least 4 weeks since prior glucocorticoids
• No prior dexamethasone
• No planned or concurrent dexamethasone or other therapy for primary systemic amyloidosis

Radiotherapy

• Not specified

Surgery

• Not specified