Paclitaxel in Treating Patients With Refractory or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed endometrial papillary carcinoma (uterine papillary serous carcinoma) * Progressive or recurrent * Bidimensionally measurable disease * Platinum refractory disease, defined by one of the following: * Progression during platinum-based chemotherapy * Stable disease for at least 4 courses of platinum-based chemotherapy * Recurrence within 4 months of platinum-based chemotherapy * No brain involvement or leptomeningeal disease PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 75 and under Performance status: * WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * Neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 50 umol/L Renal: * BUN no greater than 8.0 mmol/L * Creatinine no greater than 120 umol/L * Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Other: * Not pregnant * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * HIV negative * No other prior or concurrent malignancy except basal cell carcinoma of the skin * No active bacterial infection (e.g., urinary tract infection) * No uncontrolled or potentially active site of infection (e.g., fistula or abscess) * No psychological, familial, sociological, or geographical condition that would preclude study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy * At least 1 prior platinum containing regimen * At least 50 mg/m2 per course for a maximum of 28 days for cisplatin * At least 5 times AUC for a maximum of 4 weeks per course for carboplatin * Prior non-taxane-containing chemotherapy allowed Endocrine therapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior hormonal therapy Radiotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy * At least 3 months since prior radiotherapy to target lesion * Concurrent radiotherapy allowed for bone pain provided evaluable lesions are outside of irradiation field) Surgery: * Prior surgical management of lymph nodes allowed