Phase II Trial of Combined Modality Combretastatin A-4 Phosphate (CA4P)-Based Therapy for Patients With Newly Diagnosed Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer [Induction Chemotherapy With Doxorubicin/Cisplatin; Combined Modality Therapy With CA4P and Radiation; Followed by 2 Cycles of CA4P Consolidation]

Study start date: November 1, 2003

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed anaplastic or poorly differentiated variant thyroid carcinoma of either of the following: * Regionally advanced disease * Confined to the neck and/or superior mediastinum (i.e., above the level of the carina) * Measurable or evaluable\* disease * Completely resected disease without measurable or evaluable disease NOTE: \*At a minimum, abnormalities on physical exam or radiographic studies that may not be precisely measured but readily followed * Must have original/diagnostic tumor blocks available to confirm histopathology and for tumor microvessel density immunohistochemistry * Patients with no available original/diagnostic tumor blocks must have tumor accessible for pretreatment needle core biopsy * Must undergo indirect and direct laryngoscopy to ensure patency of the trachea/airway if deemed inoperable, with bulky thyroid/neck masses and/or suspicion of airway obstruction * No distant metastases, including but not limited to, brain metastases, disease below the level of the carina, pulmonary parenchyma, and hepatic or bony metastases * Superior mediastinal disease (i.e., above the level of the carina) in addition to regional neck disease is allowed provided the disease can be contained in a single radiotherapy port PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy * At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic * Absolute granulocyte count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count ≥ 75,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin ≥ 8.5 g/dL Hepatic * Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 mg/dL * ALT and AST ≤ 3.5 times upper limit of normal Renal * Creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dL Cardiovascular * LVEF ≥ 50% by echocardiogram * EKG normal * No prior angina * No prior myocardial infarction (e.g., significant Q waves), QTc \> 450 msec, or other clinically significant abnormalities on ECG * No congestive heart failure * No uncontrolled atrial arrhythmias or clinically significant arrhythmias, including any of the following: * Conduction abnormality * Nodal junctional arrhythmias and dysrhythmias * Sinus bradycardia or tachycardia * Supraventricular arrhythmias * Atrial fibrillation or flutter * Syncope or vasovagal episodes * No significant heart wall abnormality or heart muscle damage by echocardiogram * No uncontrolled hypertension (i.e., blood pressure consistently greater than 150/100 mm Hg irrespective of medication) * Hypertension is allowed provided there is clinical documentation of controlled blood pressure for 2 months before study entry * No symptomatic peripheral vascular disease or cerebrovascular disease Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No uncontrolled hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia * No concurrent serious infection * No other nonmalignant uncontrolled medical illness or one whose control may be jeopardized by the complications of study therapy * No grade 2 or greater pre-existing motor or sensory peripheral neuropathy * No psychiatric disorder or other condition that would preclude study compliance * No conditions associated with QTc prolongation PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * No concurrent biologic therapy * No concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy * No prior chemotherapy * No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy * No concurrent hormonal therapy, except for the following: * Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists for patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer * Hormone replacement therapy * Oral contraceptives * Megestrol for anorexia/cachexia Radiotherapy * No prior radiotherapy * No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery * See Disease Characteristics * Prior attempt at resection or cytoreduction (e.g., debulking) surgery irrespective of surgical margins allowed provided there are no distant metastases * At least 1 week but no more than 8 weeks since prior surgery and recovered Other * No other concurrent cytotoxic therapy * No other concurrent antineoplastic therapy * No other concurrent investigational therapy * No concurrent medications known to prolong the QTc interval unless the medication can be held for at least 4 days during each treatment course