Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed endometrial papillary carcinoma (uterine papillary serous
carcinoma)

- Progressive or recurrent

- Bidimensionally measurable disease

- Platinum refractory disease, defined by one of the following:

- Progression during platinum-based chemotherapy

- Stable disease for at least 4 courses of platinum-based chemotherapy

- Recurrence within 4 months of platinum-based chemotherapy

- No brain involvement or leptomeningeal disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 75 and under

Performance status:

- WHO 0-2

Life expectancy:

- Not specified

Hematopoietic:

- Neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3

- Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin no greater than 50 umol/L

Renal:

- BUN no greater than 8.0 mmol/L

- Creatinine no greater than 120 umol/L

- Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min

Other:

- Not pregnant

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

- HIV negative

- No other prior or concurrent malignancy except basal cell carcinoma of the skin

- No active bacterial infection (e.g., urinary tract infection)

- No uncontrolled or potentially active site of infection (e.g., fistula or abscess)

- No psychological, familial, sociological, or geographical condition that would
preclude study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- Not specified

Chemotherapy:

- See Disease Characteristics

- At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy

- At least 1 prior platinum containing regimen

- At least 50 mg/m2 per course for a maximum of 28 days for cisplatin

- At least 5 times AUC for a maximum of 4 weeks per course for carboplatin

- Prior non-taxane-containing chemotherapy allowed

Endocrine therapy:

- At least 4 weeks since prior hormonal therapy

Radiotherapy:

- At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy

- At least 3 months since prior radiotherapy to target lesion

- Concurrent radiotherapy allowed for bone pain provided evaluable lesions are outside
of irradiation field)

Surgery:

- Prior surgical management of lymph nodes allowed