Celecoxib in Treating Patients With Relapsed Prostate Cancer Following Radiation Therapy or Radical Prostatectomy

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of clinically localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate T1 or T2 disease Received prior primary treatment with definitive radiotherapy (at least 5,500 cGy) OR radical prostatectomy Biochemical relapse within 5 years after prior primary therapy, defined as 1 of the following: Detectable and rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after surgery (at least 2 values above the residual cancer detection limit of the assay) PSA at least 2 values above 1 ng/mL OR at least 3 rising values at any level after radiotherapy PSA no greater than 10 ng/mL PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age Not specified Performance status ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic Not specified Hepatic ALT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal Renal Creatinine normal Other No allergy to cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or sulfa drugs No untreated peptic ulcer disease PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy No prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy More than 6 months since prior adjuvant or neoadjuvant hormonal therapy Duration of prior adjuvant or neoadjuvant hormonal therapy must have been no more than 6 months Radiotherapy See Disease Characteristics Prior salvage radiotherapy after prostatectomy allowed Surgery See Disease Characteristics