Electroporation Therapy With Bleomycin in Treating Patients With Pancreatic Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas Unresectable disease by exploratory laparotomy Involvement of the superior mesenteric artery or occlusion of the superior mesenteric vein-portal vein confluence No extrapancreatic metastases by ultrasound, CT scan, or laparotomy Tumor must be accessible for direct injection of study drug and placement of electrode array PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Any age Performance status: Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: AST and ALT no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal No impaired hepatic function Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL No impaired renal function Cardiovascular: No impaired cardiac function Pulmonary: No compromised pulmonary function No pulmonary condition that would potentially require the use of high FIO2 levels Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study No prior reaction to bleomycin No fever, infection, or other medical condition that would preclude study Not at high risk for complications associated with abdominal surgery PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior lifetime cumulative dose of bleomycin greater than 400 U Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: Not specified Surgery: See Disease Characteristics