Megestrol to Limit Weight Loss and Improve Quality of Life in Treating Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically proven resected or unresectable stage I-IV epithelial head and neck cancer * Must be scheduled to receive a total dose of radiotherapy of at least 5,000 cGy in fraction sizes of no greater than 200 cGy * No distant metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * Over 18 Performance status: * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: * More than 3 months Hematopoietic: * Not specified Hepatic: * Not specified Renal: * Not specified Cardiovascular: * No history of congestive heart failure or thromboembolic events * No uncontrolled hypertension, active thromboembolic disease, or myocardial infarction within the past 3 months Pulmonary: * No history of pulmonary edema Other: * No other malignancy within the past 3 years except curatively treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix or nonmelanoma skin cancer * No feeding tube * No preexisting or uncontrolled diabetes with glycosylated hemoglobin greater than 10% * No history of Cushing's syndrome * No dietary restriction (salt, sugar, or lipid) * No serious medical or psychiatric illness that would preclude study * No significant ascites, pleural effusions, or edema that may inhibit oral food intake or invalidate weight measurements * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * Prior chemotherapy allowed Endocrine therapy: * At least 1 year since prior corticosteroids, estrogens, progestins, or any other steroid hormone * No concurrent estrogens or other progestins * Concurrent glucocorticoid replacement (10 mg of prednisone a day) allowed only if patient experiences moderate "stress" (e.g., infection, trauma, or fluid loss sufficient to require hospitalization and/or IV fluid replacement) Radiotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * No prior radiotherapy to the head and neck Surgery: * Not specified