Thalidomide and Prednisone After Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation Multiple Myeloma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed multiple myeloma as evidenced by one of the following: * Biopsy of an osteolytic lesion or soft tissue tumor composed of plasma cells * Bone marrow aspirate and/or biopsy demonstrating at least 10% plasmacytosis * Bone marrow less than 10% plasma cells with at least 1 bony lesion and meets the M-protein criteria as below * Detectable serum M-component of IgG, IgA, IgD, or IgE at initial diagnosis OR * Urinary excretion of light chain (Bence Jones) protein at least 1.0 gm/24 hrs if only light chain disease (urine M-protein) was present at initial diagnosis * Previously treated with autologous stem cell transplantation after high-dose melphalan (200 mg/m\^2) within the past 60-100 days * Received transplantation within 1 year of the beginning of initial chemotherapy for multiple myeloma * No evidence of disease progression PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 16 and over Performance status * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy * At least 6 months Hematopoietic * No prior hereditary hypercoaguable disorder * Granulocyte count at least 1,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 75,000/mm\^3 Hepatic * Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * AST and/or ALT no greater than 2 times ULN * Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2 times ULN Renal * Creatinine no greater than 3 times ULN Cardiovascular * No prior spontaneous deep vein thrombosis within the past 5 years * Catheter-associated thrombus allowed * No uncontrolled hypertension Pulmonary * No prior pulmonary embolism within the past 5 years Other * No other prior or concurrent malignancy except adequately treated squamous cell or basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix or any cancer treated more than 5 years prior to study entry and presumed cured * No prior gastric ulceration or bleeding within the past 5 years * No prior documented lupus anti-coagulant or anti-phospholipid antibody * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile female patients must use 2 effective methods of contraception for 1 month prior, during, and 1 month after study participation * Male patients must use effective barrier contraception during and for 1 month after study participation * No avascular necrosis of the hips or shoulders * No grade 2 or greater peripheral neuropathy causing symptomatic dysfunction (vincristine-induced sensory symptoms allowed) * No diabetes with end-organ damage defined as: * Documented diabetic neuropathy * Retinal vascular proliferation requiring treatment * Cardiovascular disease requiring active therapy * Willing to complete quality of life questionnaires * Employment does not prohibit the use of sedatives * No other major medical illness or condition that would preclude study participation PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * See Disease Characteristics * No prior double autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation * No prior thalidomide Chemotherapy * See Disease Characteristics Endocrine therapy * Not specified Radiotherapy * Not specified Surgery * Not specified Other * No other concurrent anti-cancer therapy * No other concurrent investigational therapy