Docetaxel in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Germ Cell Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed extragonadal and gonadal germ cell tumor Seminoma and nonseminoma eligible Recurrent or refractory disease despite adequate first-line cisplatin- or carboplatin-based chemotherapy and not amenable to surgery and/or curative radiotherapy Relapse after disease-free interval of 1 or more years ineligible Measurable or evaluable disease with documented progression within 2 months prior to entry Elevated beta human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein considered evaluable if no other evaluable lesion and provided marker(s): Increased since end of last treatment At least 10 times upper limit of normal unless due to tumor lysis Rising on 3 successive occasions at least 2-3 days apart If no tumor markers available, cytology or histology should be obtained No inadequately treated CNS metastases No pleural or pericardial effusion and/or ascites PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count at least 2,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.25 times normal AST/ALT no greater than 3 times normal Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.6 mg/dL Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min if creatinine borderline (1.1-1.6 mg/dL) Other: No active infection No severe malnutrition No pre-existing grade 2 or worse neurotoxicity No pre-existing edema No…