RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving more than one drug (combination chemotherapy) may kill more cancer cells. G-CSF may help lessen the side effects in patients receiving chemotherapy. Imaging procedures, such as fludeoxyglucose F 18-PET/CT imaging, may help doctors predict how patients will respond to treatment.