Irinotecan in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Ewing's Sarcoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed Ewing's tumor

  • Ewing's sarcoma or peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor of bone or soft tissue
  • High-risk disease (R3), defined as metastases at extrapulmonary/pleural sites
• Newly diagnosed disease

• Measurable primary and/or metastatic disease

  • At least one bidimensionally measurable lesion
• Concurrent enrollment on EURO-Ewing99 clinical trial required

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• No abnormal cardiac function, including any of the following:

  • Fractional shortening \< 29%
  • Ejection fraction \< 40%
• Glomerular filtration rate ≥ 60mL/min
• Not pregnant
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after completion of study treatment
• No prior or current history of chronic diarrhea, bowel obstruction, sub obstruction, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis
• No other medical, psychiatric, or social condition incompatible with the study treatment

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• No prior chemotherapy
• No more than 45 days since prior definitive biopsy