Imatinib Mesylate in Treating Patients With Persistent or Recurrent Ovarian Epithelial or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial or primary peritoneal carcinoma

  * Recurrent or persistent disease
* At least 1 unidimensionally measurable target lesion

  * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
  * Tumors within a previously irradiated field considered nontarget lesions
* At least one prior platinum-based chemotherapy regimen (containing carboplatin, cisplatin, or another organoplatinum compound) for primary disease required

  * Initial treatment may include high-dose, consolidation, or extended therapy
  * Initial treatment-free interval less than 12 months for patients who received only 1 prior platinum-based regimen
  * Initial treatment-free interval of more than 12 months allowed provided disease progression has occurred within 12 months after retreatment with a second-line platinum-based regimen
* Ineligible for a higher priority GOG protocol (e.g., any active phase III GOG protocol for the same patient population)
* Performance status - GOG 0-2 (if patient has received one prior treatment regimen)
* Performance status - GOG 0-1 (if patient has received two prior treatment 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/SGPT no greater than 2.5 times ULN
* Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN
* Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception during and for 3 months after study participation
* No active infection requiring antibiotics
* No greater than grade 1 sensory and motor neuropathy
* No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer
* No signs or symptoms of bowel dysfunction
* At least 3 weeks since prior immunologic therapy directed at the malignant tumor
* No concurrent biologic therapy or immunotherapy for the malignant tumor
* Recovered from prior chemotherapy
* No prior noncytotoxic chemotherapy for persistent or recurrent disease
* One additional cytotoxic regimen for persistent or recurrent disease allowed
* No concurrent chemotherapy for the malignant tumor
* At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy directed at the malignant tumor
* No concurrent therapeutic corticosteroids
* No concurrent anticancer hormonal therapy
* Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed
* Recovered from prior radiotherapy
* No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of marrow-bearing areas
* No concurrent anticancer radiotherapy
* Recovered from recent prior surgery
* At least 3 weeks since other prior therapies directed at the malignant tumor
* No prior imatinib mesylate
* No prior anticancer therapy that would preclude study participation
* No concurrent therapeutic anticoagulation with warfarin
* No other concurrent investigational drugs
* No concurrent amifostine or other protective reagents