Two-Drug Combination Chemotherapy Compared With Four-Drug Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Advanced Cancer of the Urothelium

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelium (renal pelvis, ureter, bladder, or urethra) or mixed histologies containing a component of transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelium with manifestations of progressing regional or metastatic cancer Clinically unsuspected organ-confined prostate cancer found during cystoprostatectomy allowed Evaluable or measurable disease No significant pericardial or pleural effusion or edema No significant ascites No CNS metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: AST no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.7 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No history of severe cardiovascular disease (American Heart Association class III or IV), uncontrolled congestive heart failure, or cardiac dysrhythmias Other: Prior malignancy allowed if curatively treated with no evidence of recurrence No active infection requiring parenteral antibiotics Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior systemic biologic response modifier therapy No concurrent filgrastim (G-CSF) within 24 hours prior to and after study chemotherapy administration Chemotherapy: No prior systemic chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: No prior pelvic radiotherapy as a component of bladder-sparing therapy or as an adjuvant for locally advanced disease with positive margins No concurrent local radiotherapy for pain control or life-threatening situations Surgery: See Disease Characteristics