Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed primary homologous or heterologous carcinosarcoma of the
uterus (corpus and cervix)

- Surgical stage I-IV disease, including positive adnexa, tumor invading the serosa,
positive pelvic and/or para-aortic nodes, involvement of the mucosa of the bowel,
bladder, or rectum, intra-abdominal metastases, positive pelvic washings, or vaginal
involvement within planned radiation port

- Prior total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and maximum
tumor resection of all gross intra-abdominal/pelvic disease, including grossly
involved pelvic and para-aortic nodes within 8 weeks before study

- No greater than 1 cm residual disease

- Cervical sarcomas also allowed

- No metastasis beyond the abdominal cavity at diagnosis, including the following:

- Parenchymal liver metastasis

- Lung metastasis

- Positive inguinal lymph nodes

- Positive scalene nodes

- Radiographic or pathologic evidence of bone or brain metastasis

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 21 and over

Performance status:

- GOG 0-2

Hematopoietic:

- WBC at least 3,000/mm3

- Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3

- Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times normal

- SGOT no greater than 3 times normal

- Albumin at least 3 g/dL

- No acute hepatitis

Renal:

- Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR

- Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min

Other:

- No septicemia

- No severe infection

- No severe gastrointestinal bleeding

- No prior invasive or concurrent malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma
skin cancer

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- Not specified

Chemotherapy:

- No prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

- Prior hormonal therapy allowed

Radiotherapy:

- See Disease Characteristics

- No prior radiotherapy

Surgery:

- See Disease Characteristics

Other:

- No prior therapy that would preclude study therapy