S0028, Gemcitabine and Paclitaxel in Treating Patients With Advanced or Recurrent Cancer of the Urinary Tract

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically confirmed urothelial cancer

Transitional cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, or squamous carcinoma (bladder, renal pelvis, ureter, or urethra)
Previously untreated metastatic or locoregionally advanced (i.e., bulky pelvic nodes) disease OR
Locally recurrent carcinoma after radiotherapy or cystectomy and no longer eligible for further radiotherapy or surgery
Measurable disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

70 and over OR
Under 60

Performance status:

Zubrod 0-2

Life expectancy:

Not specified

Hematopoietic:

Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,200/mm^3
Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN)
Aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT) or alanine aminotransferase (SGPT) no greater than 2 times ULN

Renal:

Creatinine no greater than ULN

Other:

HIV negative
No other concurrent life-threatening medical disorder that would preclude study participation
No other prior malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or adequately treated stage I or II cancer in complete remission
Not pregnant or nursing
Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

Not specified

Chemotherapy:

Prior adjuvant chemotherapy is allowed provided administered more than 10 years ago
No prior gemcitabine, taxanes, or platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

Not specified

Radiotherapy:

See Disease Characteristics
At least 28 days since prior radiotherapy and recovered

Surgery:

See Disease Characteristics
At least 28 days since prior surgery and recovered