Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Children With Newly Diagnosed Malignant Germ Cell Tumors

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically confirmed newly diagnosed extracranial germ cell tumors, including 1 of the following types:

* Yolk sac carcinoma (endodermal sinus tumor)
* Embryonal carcinoma
* Choriocarcinoma
* Teratoma with mixed malignant elements (malignant teratoma)
* High-risk disease, defined as stage III or IV extragonadal germ cell tumors
* Must be enrolled on study within 21 days of diagnostic surgical procedure

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

* 21 and under (at original diagnosis)

Performance status

* ECOG 0-2

* Karnofsky 50-100% (in patients over 16 years of age)
* Lansky 50-100% (in patients 16 years of age and under)

Life expectancy

* At least 2 months

Hematopoietic

* Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm\^3
* Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 (transfusion independent)
* Hemoglobin at least 10.0 g/dL (transfusion allowed)

Hepatic

* Not specified

Renal

* Creatinine clearance or radioisotope glomerular filtration rate at least 70 mL/min OR
* Creatinine based on age as follows:

* No greater than 0.8 mg/dL (5 years and under)
* No greater than 1.0 mg/dL (6-10 years)
* No greater than 1.2 mg/dL (11-15 years)
* No greater than 1.5 mg/dL (over 15 years)

Pulmonary

* FEV_1/FVC greater than 60% OR
* Children who are uncooperative must meet all of the following criteria:

* No dyspnea at rest
* No exercise intolerance
* Pulse oximetry greater than 94%

Other

* Not pregnant or nursing
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

* Not specified

Chemotherapy

* No prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy

* Not specified

Radiotherapy

* No prior radiotherapy

Surgery

* See Disease Characteristics