Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Stage III or Stage IV Ovarian Epithelial Cancer or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

You may be eligible if

• Histologically confirmed stage III or IV ovarian epithelial or serous primaryperitoneal carcinoma
• The following are ineligible:
• * Germ cell tumors
• * Sex cord-stromal tumors
• * Carcinosarcomas
• * Mixed Mullerian tumors or carcinosarcomas
• * Metastatic carcinomas from other sites to theovary
• * Low malignant potential tumors, including micropapillary serouscarcinomas
• * Mucinous primary peritoneal carcinoma
• Prior ovarian low malignant potential tumor (borderline carcinoma) that was surgically resected with subsequent development of invasive adenocarcinoma allowed if no prior chemotherapy
• Optimal (no greater than 1 cm) or suboptimal residual disease after initial surgery
• Prior breast cancer allowed provided the following are true:
• * Disease-free for more than 5 years
• * No prior cytotoxic chemotherapy for breast cancer
• Prior or concurrent primary endometrial cancer allowed if the following conditions are met:
• * Stage no greater than IB
• * Less than 3 mm invasion without vascular or lymphatic invasion
• * No poorly differentiated subtypes, including papillary serous, clear cell, or other FIGO grade 3 lesions
• Performance status - GOG 0-2
• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• AST no greater than 2.5 times ULN
• Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN
• No acute hepatitis
• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN
• No unstable angina
• No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
• No evidence of abnormal cardiac conduction (e.g., bundle branch block, heart block) unless stable for the past 6 months
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No greater than grade 1 sensory or motor neuropathy
• No active infection that requires antibiotics
• No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer
• No severe or ongoing gastrointestinal bleeding that requires blood product support
• See Disease Characteristics
• Prior chemotherapy for cancer involving the abdominal cavity or pelvis allowed provided the following are true:
• * More than 3 years since prior therapy
• * No evidence of recurrent disease
• No prior radiotherapy to any portion of the abdominal cavity or pelvis
• Prior radiotherapy for localized breast, head and neck, or skin cancer allowed provided the following are true:
• * More than 3 years since prior therapy
• * No evidence of recurrent disease
• See Disease Characteristics
• No more than 12 weeks since prior surgical resection