Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Regional post-radiation fibrosis of a specific body area (e.g., neck, back, or
extremities)

- At least moderate impairment in at least 1 of the following principal functional
abilities:

- Range of motion

- Strength

- Edema

- Swallowing

- Prior radiation for cancer received more than 6 months ago

- No evidence of recurrent or metastatic cancer

- No history of collagen vascular disease

- No positive antinuclear antibody

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

- Not specified

Hematopoietic:

- Not specified

Hepatic:

- Hepatitis B and C negative

Renal:

- Not specified

Other:

- HIV negative

- No evidence of second primary cancer

- No life-threatening situation requiring rehabilitation intervention

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- No concurrent anticancer immunotherapy

Chemotherapy:

- No concurrent anticancer chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

- No concurrent anticancer hormonal therapy

Radiotherapy:

- See Disease Characteristics

- No concurrent anticancer radiotherapy

Surgery:

- Not specified

Other:

- No other concurrent anticancer investigational agents

- Stable doses of medicine (e.g., non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) currently
being taken are allowed