Cryotherapy in Treating Patients With Primary Lung Cancer or Lung Metastases That Cannot Be Removed By Surgery

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed malignant pulmonary neoplasm New lung lesion(s) with definitive clinical and imaging features of primary or metastatic disease allowed Imaging findings compatible with localized treatment failure after prior cryotherapy allowed Malignant pleural effusion allowed provided it is associated with a distinct measurable pulmonary mass amenable to cryotherapy Metastatic disease must meet all of the following criteria: Primary tumors have been resected or have been deemed controlled by other therapies No other widespread metastases evident (e.g., multiple hepatic or brain metastases) Each pulmonary mass must be amenable to CT-guided percutaneous cryotherapy approach No more than 5 targeted masses for study therapy Target mass defined as pulmonary, hilar, mediastinal, and/or chest wall mass > 1 cm, but < 10 cm in average diameter Unresectable disease by surgical consultation OR patient refused surgical options Nonenhanced and enhanced CT scan required within the past 6 weeks done at 4-5 mm increments with available soft tissue and mediastinal windows to assess size and extent of all thoracic tumors PET scan required within the past 6 months noting the correlation with the above CT locations, if not already obtained by a combined PET/CT scanner PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Karnofsky performance status (PS) > 60-100% OR WHO/ECOG/Zubrod PS 0-2 FEV_1 > 30% of predicted DLCO > 40% of predicted Platelet count ≥ 70,000/mm^3 INR < 1.5 No uncontrolled coagulopathy or bleeding diathesis Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test No serious medical illness, including any of the following: Uncontrolled congestive heart failure Uncontrolled angina Myocardial infarction Cerebrovascular event within 6 months prior to study entry No medical contraindication or potential problem that would preclude study compliance PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: At least 7 days since prior aspirin and aspirin-like medications At least 3 days since prior warfarin, clopidogrel bisulfate, or similar compounds No concurrent drugs causing bleeding tendencies (e.g., aspirin, warfarin, or clopidogrel bisulfate) No concurrent participation in other experimental studies