Escitalopram in Treating Depression in Patients With Advanced Lung or Gastrointestinal Cancer

RATIONALE: Escitalopram may help improve depression and quality of life in patients with advanced lung or gastrointestinal cancer. It is not yet known whether escitalopram is more effective than a placebo in treating depression in patients with advanced lung or gastrointestinal cancer. PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is studying the side effects of escitalopram and to see how well it works compared to a placebo in treating depression in patients with advanced lung or gastrointestinal cancer.