OBJECTIVES:~To determine the ability of preoperative fludeoxyglucose F 18 positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanning in assessing tumor angiogenesis in patients with potentially operable non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, or head and neck cancer.~To determine the ability of preoperative fludeoxyglucose F 18 PET/CT scanning in assessing prognosis by means of measuring angiogenesis in these patients.~OUTLINE: All patients undergo fludeoxyglucose F 18 positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanning for staging, tumor perfusion measurement/angiogenesis, and glucose metabolism. If staging confirms operable disease, then the patient proceeds to surgery as planned. Resected tumor tissue samples are examined for tumor angiogenesis in the various cancer types.~Some patients undergo a half-dose of rubidium Rb-82 or 18F-fluoromisonidazole or [18F]-ML-10 PET scan or fluorescence angiography. Patients with colorectal cancer undergo a CT scan for perfusion of the tumor after the staging PET/CT. Patients with breast cancer undergo infrared thermometry as well as a MRI scan for staging and to predict angiogenesis.~After completion of study therapy, patients are followed up at 1 month and then every 6 months for 5 years.
RATIONALE: Diagnostic procedures, such as positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanning before surgery, may help measure the extent of disease.~PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying PET/CT scanning before surgery in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, or head and neck cancer.