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

You may be eligible if

• 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