Celecoxib in Managing Pain, Weight Loss, and Weakness in Patients With Advanced Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed malignant tumor of 1 of the following types: * Carcinoma * Sarcoma * Melanoma * Lymphoma * Metastatic or unresectable disease * Clear evidence of residual disease after most recent prior treatment * Measurable disease not required * Patient has elected to receive supportive care only rather than active cancer treatment (e.g., palliative chemotherapy) * Brain metastases allowed provided the following criteria are met: * Completed treatment for CNS disease (e.g., whole brain radiotherapy, surgery, or stereotactic surgery) * Clinically stable disease for at least 4 weeks after treatment completion * No requirement for corticosteroids PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * ECOG 0-3 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Not specified Hepatic * Bilirubin ≤ 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * ALT and AST ≤ 5 times ULN Renal * Creatinine ≤ 1.6 mg/dL Cardiovascular * No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months * No transient ischemic attack within the past 6 months * No stroke within the past 6 months * No angina pectoris requiring medical therapy * No other active coronary artery disease or cerebrovascular disease Other * No active gastrointestinal (GI) ulcer disease * No GI bleeding * No history of allergic reaction, urticaria, or bronchospasm after taking NSAIDs, aspirin, or sulfonamide drugs * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * Concurrent hematopoietic growth factors for cytopenia or fatigue allowed * No concurrent biologic anticancer agents Chemotherapy * See Disease Characteristics Endocrine therapy * See Disease Characteristics * No concurrent corticosteroids for management of cancer-related symptoms or other illness * No concurrent hormonal therapy * Concurrent luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone therapy allowed for prostate cancer patients provided drug was initiated at least 6 months ago AND there is unequivocal evidence of progressive disease, defined by 1 of the following criteria: * Rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) on 3 successive measurements * Rising PSA on 2 measurements taken at least 2 weeks apart * New lesions on bone scan Radiotherapy * See Disease Characteristics Surgery * See Disease Characteristics Other * Concurrent bisphosphonates for management of osseous metastases or hypercalcemia allowed * No concurrent cytot…