Doxorubicin and Cisplatin With or Without Paclitaxel in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced, Metastatic, and/or Relapsed Endometrial Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed endometrial epithelial carcinoma meeting at least 1 of the following criteria: Advanced metastatic and/or relapsed disease Locally advanced inoperable or unresectable disease No mixed mesodermal tumor and/or tumors showing evidence of sarcomatous elements Uterine papillary serous carcinoma allowed PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status WHO 0-2 Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic Neutrophil count greater than 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hemoglobin greater than 10 g/dL (transfusions allowed) Hepatic ALT and AST less than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase less than 2 times ULN Bilirubin less than 1.5 times ULN Renal Creatinine less than 1.5 times ULN Creatinine clearance greater than 50 mL/min Cardiovascular Normal baseline EKG Normal baseline LVEF on MUGA or echocardiogram for patients who received prior anthracyclines Other Able to tolerate high-dose dexamethasone Must be considered fit for chemotherapy No uncontrolled infection No other malignancy within the past 5 years except successfully treated basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No prior nervous or psychiatric disorder that would preclude study compliance No psychological, familial, sociological, or geographic condition that would preclude study participation Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy At least 12 months since prior adjuvant chemotherapy Total dose of prior doxorubicin no greater than 200 mg/m^2 Total dose of prior epirubicin no greater than 300 mg/m^2 Endocrine therapy At least 28 days since prior hormonal therapy for patients with partial or complete response after first-line treatment Radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy to any area other than pelvis No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery Not specified Other No other concurrent anticancer medications