Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Patients With Hepatic Metastases.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed primary cancer * Stage IV primary disease with up to five liver metastases that are visualized on CT scan, MRI of the abdomen, or positron-emission tomography * No liver metastases secondary to germ cell tumor or hematologic malignancy * Other sites of metastases allowed * No malignant ascites * The cumulative total dose of radiotherapy to ≥ 2/3 of the liver and surrounding normal tissues, including the esophagus, stomach, and small bowel, must be ≤ 15 Gy * Percutaneous or laparoscopic biopsy of the metastasis and placement of 3-5 fiducials required if undergoing Cyberknife for treatment delivery PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * Karnofsky performance status 60-100% * Life expectancy ≥ 3 months * Albumin ≥ 3 g/dL * Alkaline phosphatase \< 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * AST and ALT \< 1.5 times ULN * Total bilirubin \< 1.5 times ULN * Prothrombin time \< 1.5 times ULN * Hemoglobin \> 10 g/dL * Platelet count \> 100,000/mm³ * ANC \> 1,000/mm³ * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No history of diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease * No active peptic ulcer disease * No hepato-renal syndrome PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * Prior systemic therapy allowed provided complete blood cell counts have recovered * No other concurrent antineoplastic treatment