PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 14 Performance status: Karnofsky 80-100% Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Immunologic: No proliferative skin disorder (e.g., psoriasis) No diagnosed autoimmune disorders No allergy to tretinoin or latex Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception (except intrauterine device) during and for 3 months after study Normal diet with adequate protein and carbohydrate intake No in-utero exposure to diethylstilbesterol No prior malignancy No prior toxic shock syndrome