Buspirone in Reducing Shortness of Breath in Patients With Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of cancer Treatment includes the following scenarios: May have had prior chemotherapy course(s) Scheduled to receive at least 2 courses of chemotherapy Courses may include multiple treatment days such as days 1-5 or day 1-day 8 regimens and may include oral regimens Dyspnea as a symptom within the past 5 days (defined by a score of at least grade 2 on the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale) All underlying causes of dyspnea have received medical treatment per best clinical judgement of treating physician PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 0-2 Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic Not specified Hepatic Adequate hepatic function (determined by treating oncologist) Renal Adequate renal function (determined by treating oncologist) Cardiovascular Adequate cardiac function (determined by treating oncologist) Other Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception No history of mania or seizures No prior hospitalization for any psychiatric condition No prior hypersensitivity to buspirone Able to swallow medication PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy See Disease Characteristics Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy Concurrent radiotherapy allowed Surgery Not specified Other At least 2 weeks since prior and no concurrent monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) Concurrent narcotic medications allowed Concurrent benzodiazepine medications allowed Concurrent serotonin reuptake inhibitors allowed No concurrent alcohol