Fenretinide in Preventing Ovarian Cancer in Participants Who Are at High Risk for Developing Ovarian Cancer and Planning to Undergo Surgery to Remove the Ovaries

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * At high risk for developing ovarian cancer, meeting 1 of the following criteria: * Family history of ovarian cancer, defined as ≥ 1 first-degree relative diagnosed with ovarian cancer before 50 years of age * Family history of ovarian cancer, defined as ≥ 1 first-degree relative diagnosed with ovarian cancer at any age AND ≥ 1 first- or second-degree relative diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer at any age * Positive BRCA1/BRCA2 test * Planning to undergo prophylactic bilateral oophorectomy PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 30 and over Performance status * Zubrod 0-1 Life expectancy * At least 12 months Hematopoietic * Not specified Hepatic * Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * SGOT ≤ 1.5 times ULN * Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 1.5 times ULN * No history of liver disease\* * No cholestatic jaundice * No hepatic adenomas NOTE: \*For patients undergoing contrast enhanced ultrasound Renal * BUN normal * Creatinine normal Cardiovascular * No history of a congenital heart defect creating a bi-directional or right-to-left shunt\* * No history of congestive heart failure\* * No thrombophlebitis * No thromboembolic disease * No cerebral vascular disease * No coronary artery disease NOTE: \*For patients undergoing contrast enhanced ultrasound Pulmonary * No history of pulmonary hypertension\* * No history of pulmonary emboli\* * No history of severe emphysema\* NOTE: \*For patients undergoing contrast enhanced ultrasound Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception * Thyroid stimulating hormone normal * T4 normal * Triglycerides ≤ 1.5 times ULN * No malignancy within the past 5 years except breast cancer or basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer * No evidence of recurrent disease * No known or suspected hypersensitivity to blood, blood products, or albumin * No undiagnosed genital bleeding * No history of pancreatitis * No uncontrolled diabetes * No other severe underlying chronic disease * No concurrent alcohol use (\> 3 drinks/day or equivalent) PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * Not specified Chemotherapy * At least 3 months since prior chemotherapy for breast cancer Endocrine therapy * No concurrent selective estrogen-receptor modulators, including raloxifene * No concurrent aromatase inhibitors Radiotherapy * Not specified Surgery * See Disease Characteristics Other * More than 3 months since prior therapeutic oral or topical vitamin A derivatives (e.g., isotretinoin) * No other concurrent investigational agents * No concurrent cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors * No concurrent oral vitamin A or ascorbic acid (vitamin C) supplements \> recommended daily requirement (10,000 IU for vitamin A and 75 mg for vitamin C)