Gefitinib in Treating Patients With Persistent or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically confirmed primary endometrial carcinoma * Recurrent or persistent disease * Received 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for endometrial carcinoma * Initial treatment may include high-dose, consolidation, or extended therapy administered after surgical or nonsurgical assessment * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques (including palpation, plain x-ray, CT scan, and MRI) * At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Must have at least 1 target lesion for response assessment * Tumors within a previously irradiated field are designated as non-target lesions * Disease in a previously irradiated field as the only site of measurable disease is allowed only if there has been clear progression of the lesion since the completion of radiotherapy * Must have a tumor that is accessible for guided core needle or fine needle biopsy * Ineligible for a higher priority GOG protocol, defined as any active phase III protocol for the same patient population, if one exists * Performance status - GOG 0-2 (for patients who received 1 prior regimen) * Performance status - GOG 0-1 (for patients who received 2 prior 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 * No unstable cardiac disease or myocardial infarction within the past 6 months * History of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, or dysrhythmia allowed if on a stable regimen for at least 3 months * No active infection requiring antibiotics * No active corneal disease (e.g., keratoconjunctivitis) * No grade 2 or greater sensory and motor neuropathy * No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer * No signs or symptoms of bowel dysfunction that would preclude successful ingestion of oral study medication * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * At least 3 weeks since prior immunologic agents directed at malignant tumor * No concurrent anticancer immunotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy directed at the malignant tumor and recovered * No prior non-cytotoxic chemotherapy for recurrent or persistent disease * No concurrent anticancer chemotherapy * At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy directed at malignant tumor * No concurrent anticancer hormonal therapy * See Disease Characteristics * At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy directed at malignant tumor and recovered * No concurrent anticancer radiotherapy * At least 4 weeks since prior surgery except minor procedures using local anesthesia (e.g., placement of a central venous port) and recovered * At least 3 weeks since any other prior therapy directed at malignant tumor * One additional prior cytotoxic regimen for recurrent or persistent disease allowed * No prior gefitinib or other epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor * No prior cancer treatment that would contraindicate study therapy * No concurrent CYP 3A4 inducers (including phenytoin, carbamazepine, barbiturates, nafcillin, rifampin, or Hypericum perforatum \[St. John's Wort\]) * No other concurrent investigational or antineoplastic agents * No concurrent chlorpromazine