Gemcitabine Plus Cisplatin in Treating Patients With Ovarian Epithelial Cancer or Primary Peritoneal Cancer That Is Recurrent or Has Not Responded to Platinum-based Chemotherapy

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically confirmed primary ovarian epithelial cancer or primary peritoneal carcinoma

Recurrent or persistent disease

Bidimensionally measurable disease by physical examination or medical imaging techniques

Sonography is acceptable if lesions are clearly defined on initial examination and bidimensionally measurable
Ascites and pleural effusions are not considered measurable disease
Must not be eligible for a higher priority Gynecologic Oncology Group protocol

Must have received one, and only one, prior platinum-based chemotherapy regimen containing carboplatin, cisplatin, or another organoplatinum compound for management of primary disease

Initial treatment may include high-dose therapy, consolidation, or extended therapy administered after surgical or nonsurgical assessment
If no prior paclitaxel, a second regimen containing paclitaxel allowed
Platinum-resistant or refractory (i.e., treatment-free interval after platinum-based therapy of less than 6 months or progressed during platinum-based therapy)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

Not specified

Performance status:

GOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

Not specified

Hematopoietic:

Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3
Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

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

Renal:

Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN

Other:

Not pregnant
Negative pregnancy test
Fertile patients must use effective contraception
No active infection requiring antibiotics
No other malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer
Sensory and motor neuropathy no greater than grade 1

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

At least 3 weeks since prior biologic or immunologic therapy for ovarian or peritoneal cancer

Chemotherapy:

See Disease Characteristics
No other prior cytotoxic chemotherapy for recurrent or persistent disease, including retreatment with initial chemotherapy regimens
No prior gemcitabine
At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy for ovarian or peritoneal cancer and recovered

Endocrine therapy:

At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy for ovarian or peritoneal cancer
Concurrent continuation of hormonal replacement therapy allowed

Radiotherapy:

At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy for ovarian or peritoneal cancer and recovered
No prior radiotherapy to only site of measurable disease
No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of bone marrow

Surgery:

See Disease Characteristics
At least 3 weeks since prior surgery for ovarian or peritoneal cancer and recovered

Other:

At least 3 weeks since other prior therapy for ovarian or peritoneal cancer
No prior cancer treatment that would preclude study