Randomized Phase II Trial Evaluating [Radiotherapy-Docetaxel-5 Fluorouracil] Association Versus [Radiotherapy-Docetaxel-Cisplatin] Association in Non Resecables First Line of Chemotherapy in Metastatics Pancreas Cancers Patients

RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as docetaxel, fluorouracil, and cisplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving radiation therapy together with chemotherapy may kill more tumor cells. It is not yet known whether radiation therapy, docetaxel, and fluorouracil are more effective than radiation therapy, docetaxel, and cisplatin as first-line therapy in treating pancreatic cancer.

PURPOSE: This randomized phase II trial is studying radiation therapy, docetaxel, and fluorouracil to see how well they work as first-line therapy compared to radiation therapy, docetaxel, and cisplatin in treating patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer that cannot be removed by surgery.