Gemcitabine, Paclitaxel, Ifosfamide, and Cisplatin in Treating Patients With Progressive or Relapsed Metastatic Germ Cell Tumors

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Meets the following criteria: * Histologically confirmed extracranial primary germ cell cancer, seminoma, or nonseminoma * Unresectable metastatic disease * No completely resected cancer * Rising serum markers (i.e., alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin) on sequential measurement or biopsy-proven unresectable germ cell cancer * In first relapse after a single prior cisplatin-containing combination chemotherapy * Patients with late relapse (i.e., \> 2 years post initial chemotherapy) should be considered for surgery rather than chemotherapy, if technically feasible * No patients with cerebral metastases alone * Progressive cerebral and systemic disease may be considered for this study, provided cranial irradiation is also considered as a component of care PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * Medically and psychologically fit to receive this intensive chemotherapy schedule * WBC \> 3.5 times 10\^9/L * Platelet count \> 130 times 10\^9/L * Glomerular filtration rate ≥ 50 mL/min (as determined by 24 hour creatinine clearance or nuclear medicine technique) * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No other prior malignancy except successfully treated nonmelanoma skin cancer or superficial bladder cancer * No prior allergic reactions to cisplatin or other platinum compounds PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * See Disease Characteristics