Suramin in Treating Patients With Recurrent Bladder Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically proven recurrent superficial bladder cancer

  * Intermediate prognosis as defined by the following:

    * Recurrent, multiple Ta, T1 carcinoma
    * Multiple (1-7) tumors
    * Tumors resected previously must be histological grade G1 or G2 OR
* Previously treated superficial bladder cancer requiring followup cystoscopy

  * Recurrent disease diagnosed at surgery
* No tumor invasion into muscle or carcinoma in situ

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* 18 and over

Performance status:

* WHO 0-2

Life expectancy:

* Not specified

Hematopoietic:

* WBC at least 3,500/mm3
* Platelet count at least 150,000/mm3

Hepatic:

* No clinically significant hepatic disease

Renal:

* Creatinine clearance greater than 60 mL/min

Other:

* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study
* No history of adrenal insufficiency
* No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated cone-biopsied carcinoma in situ of the cervix or nonmelanoma skin cancer
* No history of difficult catheterization
* No confusion or disorientation
* No other condition that would preclude study compliance

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* No concurrent biologic therapy

Chemotherapy:

* No concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

* No concurrent corticosteroids

Radiotherapy:

* No prior radiotherapy to the bladder
* No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 4 weeks since prior major thoracic or abdominal surgery

Other:

* Recovered from prior therapy and stable for 4 weeks
* At least 6 weeks since prior intravesicular therapy
* No prior or concurrent investigational drugs
* No concurrent anticoagulants