Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Young Patients With Nonmetastatic Rhabdomyosarcoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically confirmed rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) or other malignant mesenchymal tumor, including undifferentiated soft tissue sarcoma or ectomesenchymoma

  * Has undergone diagnostic surgery within the past 8 weeks
* Meets criteria for 1 of the following risk groups:

  * Low-risk group

    * Localized nonalveolar RMS at any site
    * Embryonal, spindle cell, or botryoid RMS (favorable pathology)
    * Microscopically completely resected disease (Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study \[IRS\] group I)
    * Negative nodes (N0)
    * Tumor size ≤ 5 cm AND age \< 10 years (favorable tumor size and age)
  * Standard-risk group, meeting criteria for 1 of the following subgroups:

    * Subgroup B

      * Localized nonalveolar RMS at any site
      * Favorable pathology
      * Microscopically completely resected disease (IRS group I)
      * N0 disease
      * Tumor size \> 5 cm OR age ≥ 10 years (unfavorable tumor size or age)
    * Subgroup C

      * Localized nonalveolar RMS in orbit, head and neck nonparameningeal sites, or genitourinary (GU) non bladder prostate (i.e., paratesticular and vagina/uterus) sites (favorable site)
      * Favorable pathology
      * Microscopic residual disease (pT3a) or completely resected disease with nodal involvement (N1) (IRS group II) OR macroscopic residual disease (pT3b) (IRS group III)
      * N0 disease
      * Any tumor size or age
    * Subgroup D

      * Localized nonalveolar RMS in parameningeal sites, extremities, GU bladder prostate sites, or other sites (unfavorable site)
      * Favorable pathology
      * IRS group II or III
      * N0 disease
      * Favorable tumor size and age
  * High-risk group, meeting criteria for 1 of the following subgroups:

    * Subgroup E

      * Localized nonalveolar RMS at unfavorable site
      * Favorable pathology
      * IRS group II or III
      * N0 disease
      * Unfavorable tumor size or age
    * Subgroup F

      * Localized nonalveolar RMS at any site
      * Favorable pathology
      * IRS group I, II, or III
      * Positive nodes (N1)
      * Any tumor size or age
    * Subgroup G

      * Localized alveolar RMS at any site
      * Alveolar RMS, including the solid-alveolar variant (unfavorable pathology)
      * IRS group I, II, or III
      * N0 disease
      * Any tumor size or age
  * Very high-risk group

    * Localized alveolar RMS at any site
    * Unfavorable pathology
    * IRS group I, II, or III
    * N1 disease
    * Any tumor size or age
* Previously untreated disease (except for primary surgery)
* No evidence of metastatic disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

* Shortening fraction \> 28%
* Ejection fraction \> 47%
* No prior cardiac disease
* Renal function must be equivalent to grade 0-1 nephrotoxicity
* No prior malignant tumors
* No pre-existing illness preventing treatment

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

* See Disease Characteristics