DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Cancer patients who are scheduled to receive radiotherapy within the next 3 weeks

  • Total dose at least 2,000 cGy delivered in at least 15 fractions
  • 1 fraction per day, 5 days per week
  • Treatment field to include an area of at least 80 cm2 in the anterior/posterior direction encompassing the upper abdomen
• At risk of developing radiation-induced emesis
• No emesis (retching and/or vomiting) or nausea with severity greater than 2 within the past week

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 16 and over

Performance status:

• ECOG 0-3

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• Not specified

Hepatic:

• No jaundice
• No moderate to severe hepatic dysfunction

Renal:

• Not specified

Gastrointestinal:

• No active peptic ulcer
• No lactose intolerance

Other:

• No concurrent condition or illness that contraindicates corticosteroids, serotonin antagonists, or prochlorperazine (e.g., diabetes mellitus)
• No prior unusual or allergic reaction to a serotonin antagonist (ondansetron, dolasetron, or granisetron), corticosteroid, or prochlorperazine
• No condition that would preclude accessibility to treatment or follow-up
• Able and willing to complete diary and quality of life questionnaires in either English or French
• Able to swallow

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• At least 1 week since prior cytotoxic therapy
• No concurrent cytotoxic therapy

Endocrine therapy:

• No concurrent corticosteroids other than topical or inhaled preparations

Radiotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 1 week since prior radiotherapy
• No concurrent cranial radiotherapy

Surgery:

• Not specified

Other:

• At least 2 days since prior medication with antiemetic intent