Octreotide in Treating Patients With Cancer-Related Malignant Ascites

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed cancer * Diagnosis of malignant ascites, as determined by the treating oncologist * Positive cytology not required * Patient is symptomatic and views ascites as a problem * No lymphoma or lymphomatous ascites * Planning therapeutic paracentesis ≤ 3 days after study entry OR completed therapeutic paracentesis 2 days before study entry PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * Not specified Life expectancy * At least 4 weeks Hematopoietic * Not at high risk of bleeding from a procedure Hepatic * No known cirrhosis or portal hypertension Renal * No known history of chronic renal failure, defined as creatinine ≥ 2 times upper limit of normal Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * Prior cholecystitis allowed provided patient underwent cholecystectomy * No uncontrolled diabetes mellitus * No known allergy to octreotide * No known allergy to latex * No medical condition that would preclude study treatment PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * No concurrent bevacizumab Chemotherapy * No concurrent intraperitoneal chemotherapy * No concurrent first-line chemotherapy for any cancer except pancreatic cancer * Concurrent second-line chemotherapy or later-line chemotherapy allowed Endocrine therapy * No other concurrent octreotide Radiotherapy * Not specified Surgery * Not specified Ot…