Eflornithine in Treating Patients With Bladder Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed low grade (grade 1 or 2), superficial (stage Ta or T1) transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder Newly diagnosed or recurrent All visible tumor must have been resected within the past 12 weeks Standard clinical management determined to be expectant observation without further surgery, intravesical therapy, or systemic therapy No prior upper tract TCC No history of grade 3 TCC, carcinoma in situ including severe dysplasia, non-TCC histology, or TCC greater than or equal to T2 No involvement of upper urinary tract prior to or at the time of initial tumor resection Abdominal CT scan, IVP, or retrograde pyelogram within the past 3 months to rule out upper urinary tract tumor PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Not specified Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No prior malignancy within the past 5 years and no concurrent malignancy except nonmelanomatous skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No clinically significant hearing loss (i.e., hearing loss effects everyday life and/or wears a hearing aide) No other significant medical or psychiatric condition PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior growth factors No concurrent growth factors Chemotherapy: No prior systemic chemotherapy for bladder cancer No concurrent intravesical therapy At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior high dose steroids or prednisone No concurrent high dose steroids No concurrent prednisone or its equivalent in excess of 10 mg/day Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy for bladder cancer At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Other: At least 4 weeks since prior carbamazepine or experimental drugs No concurrent carbamazepine or experimental drugs