Paclitaxel in Treating Patients With Refractory or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer

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