Thalidomide in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Persistent Cancer of the Uterus

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically confirmed primary uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) that is refractory to curative therapy or established treatments * Recurrent or persistent disease * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable target lesion * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques, including palpation, plain x-ray, CT scan, or MRI OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Tumors within a previously irradiated field are considered non-target lesions * No smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential, including metastatic or recurrent disease from such a tumor * Must have received 1 prior initial chemotherapy regimen (including high-dose, consolidation, or extended therapy after surgical or nonsurgical assessment) for uterine LMS * Ineligible for a higher priority Gynecological Oncology Group (GOG) protocol (if one exists), including any active phase III protocol for the same patient population * No documented brain metastases since diagnosis of cancer * Patients with stable CNS deficits are allowed provided there are no brain metastases, as confirmed by CT scan or MRI * Performance status - GOG 0-2 if received 1 prior therapy regimen * Performance status - GOG 0-1 if received 2 prior therapy regimens * 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) * SGOT no greater than 2.5 times ULN * Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN * Creatinine clearance greater than 60 mL/min * No documented seizure disorders since diagnosis of cancer * Patients with a history of seizure disorders are allowed provided that the seizures have been stable (i.e., no seizure within the past 12 months)while on an appropriately monitored treatment regimen * No active infection requiring antibiotics * No greater than grade 1 sensory or motor neuropathy * No other prior invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer * Not pregnant * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use at least 1 highly active method and 1 additional effective method of contraception for at least 4 weeks before, during, and for at least 4 weeks after study participation * No prior thalidomide * At least 3 weeks since prior immunologic agents for uterine LMS * At least 3 weeks since other prior chemotherapy for uterine LMS and recovered * No more than 1 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimen for recurrent or persistent uterine LMS * No prior non-cytotoxic chemotherapy for recurrent or persistent uterine LMS * At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy for uterine LMS * Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed * At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy for uterine LMS and recovered * No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of bone marrow * Recovered from recent prior surgery * No prior anticancer therapy that would preclude study therapy * At least 3 weeks since other prior therapy for uterine LMS * No concurrent bisphosphonates (e.g., zoledronate)