Fenretinide Followed by Surgery Compared With Surgery Alone in Preventing Ovarian Cancer in Patients at Increased Risk

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Increased risk for ovarian cancer secondary to 1 of the following: * Evidence of a BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation * Family history of 1 or more first-degree relatives diagnosed with ovarian cancer prior to 50 years of age * Family history of 1 first-degree relative with ovarian cancer (any age) AND 1 or more first- or second-degree relatives diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer * Personal history of breast cancer (at any age) AND 1 or more first- or second-degree relative diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer at any age * Meets any 1 of the following criteria: * Ashkenazi Jewish ethnicity with 1 first-degree or 2 second-degree relatives with breast\* and/or ovarian cancer * Ashkenazi Jewish ethnicity with diagnosed breast\* cancer in patient * Greater than 20% probability of carrying BRCA1/2 mutation with a family history of breast and ovarian cancer NOTE: \* Where breast cancer is required to meet this criteria, diagnosis must occur prior to menopause or at ≤ 50 years old if age at menopause is unknown * Planned prophylactic oophorectomy * Normal pelvic exam within the past 6 weeks PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * GOG 0-1 Life expectancy: * At least 12 months Hematopoietic: * WBC at least 4,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL * SGOT no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR * Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min * Triglyceride less than 2 times ULN (fasting) Cardiovascular: * No myocardial infarction within the past 3 months * No active angina * No unstable heart rhythms * No clinically evident congestive heart failure Other: * No uncontrolled medical illness that would preclude study participation * No uncontrolled diabetes * No uncontrolled psychiatric illness * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * At least 3 months since prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: * At least 3 months since prior hormonal therapy * At least 8 weeks since prior hormone replacement therapy * At least 8 weeks since prior oral, injectable, or implantable contraceptives * No concurrent hormonal therapy, including hormone replacement therapy Radiotherapy: * At least 3 months since prior radiotherapy * No prior radiotherapy to pelvis for malignancy Surgery: * See Disease Characteristics Other: * At least 3 months since prior investigational treatment * No concurrent nutritional supplements except a daily multivitamin with less than 25,000 IU of vitamin A * No prior non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on a regular (chronic or daily) basis within the past 6 months * No concurrent NSAIDs on a regular (chronic or daily) basis * Concurrent aspirin at a dose of 81 mg/day allowed