Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Liver Metastases

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of 1 of the following: Histologically confirmed non-lymphoma liver metastases New radiographic liver lesions most consistent with metastases in a patient with known, histologically proven non-lymphoma cancer AND a previously negative CT scan, MRI, or PET/CT scan of the liver No more than 5 measurable lesions by contrast-enhanced liver CT scan, MRI, or PET/CT scan Liver metastases ≤ 8 cm Medically unfit for surgery OR lesions are surgically unresectable All intrahepatic disease must be encompassed within the study radiation field Extrahepatic disease outside the liver is allowed provided the hepatic disease is life-limiting At least 1,000 cc of normal liver No clinical ascites No CNS metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Performance status Zubrod 0-1 Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,800/mm^3 Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3 Hemoglobin ≥ 8 g/dL (transfusion allowed) Hepatic No active hepatitis No clinically significant liver failure No underlying cirrhosis Renal Not specified Cardiovascular No congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization within the past 6 months No unstable angina pectoris requiring hospitalization within the past 6 months No transmural myocardial infarction within the past 6 months Pulmonary No chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation or other respiratory illness requiring hospitalization or precluding study therapy Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No other malignancy within the past 3 years except non-melanomatous skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the breast, oral cavity, cervix or primary liver metastasis No acute bacterial or fungal infection requiring IV antibiotics PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Chemotherapy At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy No concurrent chemotherapy No anthracyclines within 4 weeks after completion of study therapy (1 week for other chemotherapy) Radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy to the region of study No concurrent intensity-modulated radiotherapy Surgery Prior liver resection or ablative therapy allowed Other No concurrent warfarin or IV heparin