Buspirone in Reducing Shortness of Breath in Patients With Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Diagnosis of cancer * Treatment includes the following scenarios: * May have had prior chemotherapy course(s) * Scheduled to receive at least 2 courses of chemotherapy * Courses may include multiple treatment days such as days 1-5 or day 1-day 8 regimens and may include oral regimens * Dyspnea as a symptom within the past 5 days (defined by a score of at least grade 2 on the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale) * All underlying causes of dyspnea have received medical treatment per best clinical judgement of treating physician PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 0-2 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Not specified Hepatic * Adequate hepatic function (determined by treating oncologist) Renal * Adequate renal function (determined by treating oncologist) Cardiovascular * Adequate cardiac function (determined by treating oncologist) Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No history of mania or seizures * No prior hospitalization for any psychiatric condition * No prior hypersensitivity to buspirone * Able to swallow medication PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * Not specified Chemotherapy * See Disease Characteristics Endocrine therapy * Not specified Radiotherapy * Concurrent radiotherapy allowed Surgery * Not specified Other * At least 2 weeks since prior and no concurrent monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) * Concurrent narcotic medications allowed * Concurrent benzodiazepine medications allowed * Concurrent serotonin reuptake inhibitors allowed * No concurrent alcohol