Surgery Plus Medroxyprogesterone in Preventing Endometrial Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed atypical endometrial hyperplasia with recommended treatment with either:
• * An immediate hysterectomy (Part A) OR
• * A three-month delay prior to hysterectomy and a randomized choice of treatment with oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera) or medroxyprogesterone acetate suspension (Depo-Provera) during the 3 months (Part B with arms I and II)
• Diagnosed by dilation and curettage, Novak curettage, Vabra aspirate or Pipelle endometrial biopsy
• No recognized endometrial carcinoma
• Must not be considered inoperable
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• Not specified
• Performance status:
• GOG 0-2
• Life expectancy:
• Not specified
• Hematopoietic:
• WBC at least 3,000/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
• Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times normal
• SGOT no greater than 3 times normal
• Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 3 times normal
• Renal:
• Creatinine no greater than 2 times normal
• Cardiovascular
• No prior thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic phenomena
• No prior cerebrovascular disorders
• Other:
• No prior or concurrent malignancy except nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the uterine cervix
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• Not specified
• Chemotherapy:
• Not specified
• Endocrine therapy:
• See Disease Characteristics
• Radiotherapy:
• Not specified
• Surgery:
• See Disease Characteristics