Docetaxel in Treating Women With Ovarian Epithelial or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial or primary peritoneal serous cancer that is resistant to platinum therapy

Platinum resistance as defined by one of the following:

Relapse within 6 months of platinum based chemotherapy
Residual disease after completion of platinum based chemotherapy
Disease progression while receiving platinum based chemotherapy
Marker only relapse (CA-125 elevation) and measurable disease
Bidimensionally measurable disease on exam or CT scan

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

18 and over

Sex:

Female

Performance status:

ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

Greater than 2 months

Hematopoietic:

WBC at least 3,000/mm3
Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3
Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3

Hepatic:

Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN)
SGPT or SGOT no greater than 1.5 times ULN
Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN

Renal:

Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL

Cardiovascular:

Acceptable cardiac exam
No active cardiac ischemia

Pulmonary:

Acceptable pulmonary exam
No active pulmonary infection or compromise

Other:

Not pregnant or nursing
No severe peripheral neuropathy (grade 2 or greater)
No other significant psychiatric or medical conditions that would interfere with compliance

No other malignancies within the past 3 years, except:

Limited basal or squamous cell skin cancer
Carcinoma in situ of the cervix

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

No prior cytokine therapy

Chemotherapy:

See Disease Characteristics
At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy for ovarian epithelial or peritoneal serous cancer
Prior paclitaxel allowed
No prior docetaxel
At least 3 years since prior chemotherapy for other disease

Endocrine therapy:

Not specified

Radiotherapy:

No prior pelvic radiotherapy

Surgery:

Not specified