Radiation Therapy and Cisplatin With or Without Epoetin Alfa in Treating Patients With Cervical Cancer and Anemia

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically confirmed invasive squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, or adenosquamous carcinoma of the cervix * Stage IIB, IIIB, or IVA * Primary, previously untreated disease * Hemoglobin less than 14 g/dL at presentation * Negative, non-suspicious para-aortic nodes determined by lymphangiogram, CT scan, MRI, or lymphadenectomy * Eligible for treatment with radical intent involving concurrent cisplatin and pelvic radiotherapy * No involvement of the lower third of vagina * No carcinoma of the cervical stump * Performance status - GOG 0-3 * See Disease Characteristics * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times normal * SGOT no greater than 3 times normal * Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 3 times normal * Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL * No uncontrolled hypertension * No history of thrombotic vascular events (e.g., deep vein thrombosis or myocardial infarction) * No active hemolysis * No history of pulmonary embolism * No septicemia or severe infection * No circumstances that would preclude study participation * No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer * No history of hypersensitivity to epoetin alfa or human albumin * No diagnosis of vitamin B\_12 or folic acid deficiency * No recent (within the past 3 months) or uncontrolled seizure disorder * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile pat…