Thalidomide in Treating Patients With Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed low-grade neuroendocrine tumors * Carcinoid tumors * Islet cell tumors * Metastatic disease * Progression of disease within past 4 weeks by radiological evidence * At least 1 bidimensionally measurable lesion by CT scan or MRI * Bone metastasis not considered measurable if only site of disease * No active brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * Not specified Performance status: * Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy: * More than 3 months Hematopoietic: * WBC at least 3,000/mm\^3 * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin normal * AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN OR * Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use 2 forms of effective contraception for 4 weeks before, during, and for 4 weeks after study * No grade 2 or greater neuropathy * No other clinical circumstances that would preclude study * No other prior malignancy except: * Non-melanoma skin cancer * Other cancer that has been curatively treated, has had no evidence of recurrence within the past 5 years, and is at low risk for recurrence PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * No prior thalidomide * No concurrent interferon Chemotherapy: * No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy * No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: * At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery Other: * No more than 1 prior systemic therapy regimen * At least 4 weeks since prior systemic therapy regimen * No other concurrent therapeutic agent