Suramin in Treating Patients With Recurrent Bladder Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven recurrent superficial bladder cancer Intermediate prognosis as defined by the following: Recurrent, multiple Ta, T1 carcinoma Multiple (1-7) tumors Tumors resected previously must be histological grade G1 or G2 OR Previously treated superficial bladder cancer requiring followup cystoscopy Recurrent disease diagnosed at surgery No tumor invasion into muscle or carcinoma in situ PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 150,000/mm3 Hepatic: No clinically significant hepatic disease Renal: Creatinine clearance greater than 60 mL/min Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study No history of adrenal insufficiency No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated cone-biopsied carcinoma in situ of the cervix or nonmelanoma skin cancer No history of difficult catheterization No confusion or disorientation No other condition that would preclude study compliance PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent biologic therapy Chemotherapy: No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent corticosteroids Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy to the bladder No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior major thoracic or abdominal surgery Other: Recovered from prior therapy and stable for 4 weeks At least 6 weeks since prior intravesicular therapy No prior or concurrent investigational drugs No concurrent anticoagulants