Temsirolimus in Treating Patients With Refractory or Recurrent Ovarian Epithelial, Fallopian Tube, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cavity cancer * Recurrent or refractory * Prior treatment with ≥ 1 platinum-based chemotherapeutic regimen for management of primary disease (containing carboplatin, cisplatin, or another organoplatinum compound) required * Initial treatment may have included any of the following: * High-dose therapy * Intraperitoneal therapy * Consolidation therapy * Noncytotoxic agents * Extended therapy administered after surgical or nonsurgical assessment * Patients must meet ≥ 1 of the following criteria: * Treatment-free interval after platinum therapy of \< 12 months for patients who received only 1 platinum-based regimen * Progressed during platinum-based therapy * Refractory disease after a platinum-based regimen * Measurable disease, defined as ≥ 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Must have ≥ 1 target lesion * Tumors within a previously irradiated field will be designated as "non-target" lesions unless progression is documented or a biopsy is obtained ≥ 90 days after completion of radiotherapy * Not eligible for a higher priority GOG protocol, if one exists * GOG performance status (PS) 0-2 for patients who have receive one prior regimen OR GOG PS 0-1 for patients who have received 2-3 prior regimens * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm³ * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³ * Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times upper limit normal (ULN) * Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times ULN * AST ≤ 2.5 times ULN * Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 times ULN * No neuropathy (sensory and motor) \> grade 2 * Fasting cholesterol \< 350 mg/dL * Fasting triglycerides \< 400 mg/dL * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No active infection requiring antibiotics (with the exception of uncomplicated UTI) * No other invasive malignancies within the past 5 years, except for non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer, or head and neck cancer * See Disease Characteristics * Recovered from prior surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy * At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy directed at the malignant tumor * At least 3 years since prior radiotherapy for localized cancer of the breast, head and neck, or skin * Patient must remain free of recurrent or metastatic disease * At least 3 years since prior adjuvant chemotherapy for localized breast cancer * Patient must remain free of recurrent or metastatic disease * At least 3 weeks since other prior therapy directed at the malignant tumor, including immunologic agents * No prior temsirolimus * No prior cancer treatment that would preclude study therapy * No prior radiotherapy to \> 25% of marrow-bearing areas * No prior radiotherapy to any portion of the abdominal cavity or pelvis, except for the treatment of ovarian cancer * No prior non-cytotoxic therapy for management of recurrent or persistent ovarian disease, except for therapy that was part of the primary treatment regimen * Two additional cytotoxic regimens (defined as any agent that targets the genetic and/or mitotic apparatus of dividing cells, resulting in dose-limiting toxicity to the bone marrow and/or gastrointestinal mucosa) for management of recurrent or persistent ovarian disease allowed * Concurrent low molecular weight heparin allowed provided PT/INR ≤ 1.5 * Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed * No concurrent amifostine or other protective reagents * No concurrent prophylactic filgrastim (G-CSF)