Radiation Therapy, Cisplatin, and Etoposide in Treating Patients With Non-small Cell Lung Cancer That Cannot Be Removed by Surgery

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients with confirmed unresectable Stage IIB or Stage III non-small cell lung cancer of any histologic-subtype appropriate for definitive concurrent chemotherapy and radiation as determined by multi-disciplinary assessment; all detectable tumor should be encompassable by radiation therapy fields, including both the primary tumor and the involved regional lymph nodes
Granulocytes >= 1500/ul
Platelets >= 100,000/ul
Bilirubin < 1.5 mg/dl
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT]) < 2 upper limit of normal (ULN)
Creatinine clearance must be > 60ml/min
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0 to 1
Weight loss =< 5% in the previous six months unless weight loss is intentional (per judgment of study medical doctor [MD])
Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) must be >= 1.0 L
Patients must sign a study-specific informed consent form prior to study entry
Patients must have measurable disease on the 3D planning computed tomography (CT)
Patient must have a completed 3D plan and the attending physician must have reviewed and approved the dose volume histograms as follows: total lung volume percentage receiving at least 20 Gy (V20) =< 35%, and mean lung dose =< 20 Gy

Exclusion Criteria:

Mixed histology or undifferentiated small cell carcinoma, any stage
Concurrent malignancy except non-melanomatous skin cancer or prior cancer if disease-free for one year or more
Patients with malignant pleural effusions or significant pericardial effusions
Pregnant or lactating females
Severe neuropathy greater than or equal to grade 2
Severe sensorineural hearing loss greater or equal to grade 2
No clinically significant history of cardiac disease, (i.e. uncontrolled hypertension, unstable angina, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction within the past year, or cardiac ventricular arrhythmias requiring medication)
Any significant or severe medical conditions or psychiatric or social conditions that would preclude adherence to the protocol or compliance with study treatments