Gefitinib in Treating Patients With Persistent or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically confirmed primary endometrial carcinoma

  * Recurrent or persistent disease
* Received 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for endometrial carcinoma

  * Initial treatment may include high-dose, consolidation, or extended therapy administered after surgical or nonsurgical assessment
* At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion

  * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques (including palpation, plain x-ray, CT scan, and MRI)
  * At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
  * Must have at least 1 target lesion for response assessment
  * Tumors within a previously irradiated field are designated as non-target lesions

    * Disease in a previously irradiated field as the only site of measurable disease is allowed only if there has been clear progression of the lesion since the completion of radiotherapy
* Must have a tumor that is accessible for guided core needle or fine needle biopsy
* Ineligible for a higher priority GOG protocol, defined as any active phase III protocol for the same patient population, if one exists
* Performance status - GOG 0-2 (for patients who received 1 prior regimen)
* Performance status - GOG 0-1 (for patients who 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
* No unstable cardiac disease or myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
* History of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, or dysrhythmia allowed if on a stable regimen for at least 3 months
* No active infection requiring antibiotics
* No active corneal disease (e.g., keratoconjunctivitis)
* No grade 2 or greater sensory and motor neuropathy
* No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer
* No signs or symptoms of bowel dysfunction that would preclude successful ingestion of oral study medication
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* At least 3 weeks since prior immunologic agents directed at malignant tumor
* No concurrent anticancer immunotherapy
* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy directed at the malignant tumor and recovered
* No prior non-cytotoxic chemotherapy for recurrent or persistent disease
* No concurrent anticancer chemotherapy
* At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy directed at malignant tumor
* No concurrent anticancer hormonal therapy
* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy directed at malignant tumor and recovered
* No concurrent anticancer radiotherapy
* At least 4 weeks since prior surgery except minor procedures using local anesthesia (e.g., placement of a central venous port) and recovered
* At least 3 weeks since any other prior therapy directed at malignant tumor
* One additional prior cytotoxic regimen for recurrent or persistent disease allowed
* No prior gefitinib or other epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor
* No prior cancer treatment that would contraindicate study therapy
* No concurrent CYP 3A4 inducers (including phenytoin, carbamazepine, barbiturates, nafcillin, rifampin, or Hypericum perforatum \[St. John's Wort\])
* No other concurrent investigational or antineoplastic agents
* No concurrent chlorpromazine