Docetaxel in Treating Women With Ovarian Epithelial or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

You may be eligible if

• 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