Thalidomide in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Persistent Endometrial Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically confirmed endometrial carcinoma * Recurrent or persistent (refractory to curative therapy or established treatment) * No sarcomas * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques, including palpation, plain x-ray, CT scan, or MRI * At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan * At least 1 target lesion outside the area of prior radiotherapy * Received 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for endometrial carcinoma * Initial treatment may include high-dose therapy, consolidation, or extended therapy * No more than 1 additional cytotoxic regimen for recurrent or persistent disease * No non-cytotoxic chemotherapy for recurrent or persistent disease * Ineligible for higher priority GOG protocols (any active GOG phase III protocol for the same patient population) * No documented brain metastases since diagnosis of cancer * Patients with stable CNS deficits allowed provided there are no brain metastases, as confirmed by CT scan or MRI * Performance status - GOG 0-2 if patient received 1 prior regimen * Performance status - GOG 0-1 if patient 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 * Creatinine clearance greater than 60 mL/min * Not pr…