Inclusion Criteria:

- Histologically confirmed primary endometrial carcinoma

- Recurrent or persistent disease

- Received 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for endometrial carcinoma

- Initial treatment may include high-dose, consolidation, or extended therapy
administered after surgical or nonsurgical assessment

- At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion

- At least 20 mm by conventional techniques (including palpation, plain x-ray, CT
scan, and MRI)

- At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan

- Must have at least 1 target lesion for response assessment

- Tumors within a previously irradiated field are designated as non-target
lesions

- Disease in a previously irradiated field as the only site of measurable
disease is allowed only if there has been clear progression of the lesion
since the completion of radiotherapy

- Must have a tumor that is accessible for guided core needle or fine needle biopsy

- Ineligible for a higher priority GOG protocol, defined as any active phase III
protocol for the same patient population, if one exists

- Performance status - GOG 0-2 (for patients who received 1 prior regimen)

- Performance status - GOG 0-1 (for patients who received 2 prior regimens)

- Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3

- Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

- Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

- SGOT no greater than 2.5 times ULN

- Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN

- Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN

- No unstable cardiac disease or myocardial infarction within the past 6 months

- History of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, or dysrhythmia allowed
if on a stable regimen for at least 3 months

- No active infection requiring antibiotics

- No active corneal disease (e.g., keratoconjunctivitis)

- No grade 2 or greater sensory and motor neuropathy

- No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer

- No signs or symptoms of bowel dysfunction that would preclude successful ingestion of
oral study medication

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

- At least 3 weeks since prior immunologic agents directed at malignant tumor

- No concurrent anticancer immunotherapy

- See Disease Characteristics

- At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy directed at the malignant tumor and
recovered

- No prior non-cytotoxic chemotherapy for recurrent or persistent disease

- No concurrent anticancer chemotherapy

- At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy directed at malignant tumor

- No concurrent anticancer hormonal therapy

- See Disease Characteristics

- At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy directed at malignant tumor and recovered

- No concurrent anticancer radiotherapy

- At least 4 weeks since prior surgery except minor procedures using local anesthesia
(e.g., placement of a central venous port) and recovered

- At least 3 weeks since any other prior therapy directed at malignant tumor

- One additional prior cytotoxic regimen for recurrent or persistent disease allowed

- No prior gefitinib or other epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor

- No prior cancer treatment that would contraindicate study therapy

- No concurrent CYP 3A4 inducers (including phenytoin, carbamazepine, barbiturates,
nafcillin, rifampin, or Hypericum perforatum [St. John's Wort])

- No other concurrent investigational or antineoplastic agents

- No concurrent chlorpromazine