Celecoxib in Managing Pain, Weight Loss, and Weakness in Patients With Advanced Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed malignant tumor of 1 of the following types: * Carcinoma * Sarcoma * Melanoma * Lymphoma * Metastatic or unresectable disease * Clear evidence of residual disease after most recent prior treatment * Measurable disease not required * Patient has elected to receive supportive care only rather than active cancer treatment (e.g., palliative chemotherapy) * Brain metastases allowed provided the following criteria are met: * Completed treatment for CNS disease (e.g., whole brain radiotherapy, surgery, or stereotactic surgery) * Clinically stable disease for at least 4 weeks after treatment completion * No requirement for corticosteroids PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * ECOG 0-3 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Not specified Hepatic * Bilirubin ≤ 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * ALT and AST ≤ 5 times ULN Renal * Creatinine ≤ 1.6 mg/dL Cardiovascular * No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months * No transient ischemic attack within the past 6 months * No stroke within the past 6 months * No angina pectoris requiring medical therapy * No other active coronary artery disease or cerebrovascular disease Other * No active gastrointestinal (GI) ulcer disease * No GI bleeding * No history of allergic reaction, urticaria, or bronchospasm after taking NSAIDs, aspirin, or sulfonamide drugs * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregna…