Amifostine in Treating Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients Who Have Received Chemotherapy for Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Prior therapy with platinum-based chemotherapy regimen for a malignancy * Treatment with other agents, including paclitaxel, allowed * Grade 2 or greater peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling, pain in the distal extremities) attributed to prior platinum-based chemotherapy * Must have persisted and be stable for 3-36 months after completion of chemotherapy * Duration of neuropathy no more than 3 years * No other possible causes for the neuropathy (e.g., alcoholism, diabetes, or peripheral vascular disease) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * GOG 0-3 Life expectancy * At least 6 months Hematopoietic * Not specified Hepatic * Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Renal * Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL * Calcium at least lower limit of normal Cardiovascular * No hypotension * No history of cerebrovascular accident Other * No other significant comorbid medical conditions that would preclude study participation PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * Not specified Chemotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * No concurrent chemotherapy * No chemotherapy (including paclitaxel, cisplatin, and carboplatin) for at least 4 months after study entry Endocrine therapy * Not specified Radiotherapy * Not specified Surgery * Not specified Other * At least 24 hours since prior antihypertensive medications * No prior amifostine * Prior treatment on a GOG treatment protocol allowed * No concurrent monoamine oxidase inhibitors * No concurrent neurotoxic agents during and for at least 6 months after study entry