Inclusion Criteria:

- Histologically or cytologically confirmed transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the
bladder, urethra, or upper urinary tract

- Mixed TCC and variant histologies (i.e., small cell, squamous cell, adenocarcinoma,
or sarcoma) allowed if present in < 50% of the biopsy specimen

- Patients must sign an informed consent indicating that they are aware of the
investigational nature of this study, in keeping with the policies of the
institution.

- Measurable disease: may include radiographic detection of metastases in lymph nodes
(>= 1.5 cm) or liver or lung (>= 1.0 cm) OR pelvic mass palpable on examination under
anesthesia

- Creatinine clearance < 60 mL/min; no renal insufficiency that requires hemodialysis;
no renal insufficiency that is reversible in patients with tumor confined to the
primary site (i.e., that is potentially resectable with neoadjuvant chemotherapy)

- Zubrod performance status 0-2

- Platelet count > 100,000/mm^3

- Absolute granulocyte count > 1,500/mm^3

- Bilirubin =< 2.0 mg/dL

- AST and ALT =< 2 times upper limit of normal

- LVEF > 40% OR normal EKG and no history of cardiac disease

- All patients must be evaluated in the Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology at
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center or participating CCOP center prior to signing informed
consent.

- No prior systemic chemotherapy including, adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy

- Prior intravesicular chemotherapy allowed

Exclusion Criteria:

- No brain metastases

- Not pregnant or nursing

- No severe or uncontrolled infection

- No New York Heart Association class III-IV congestive heart failure, unstable angina,
or history of myocardial infarction within the past 6 months

- No peripheral neuropathy >= grade 2

- No persistently uncontrolled diabetes mellitus

- No chronic liver disease

- No HIV positivity

- No other malignancy except nonmelanoma skin cancer unless disease-free for the past 3
years

- No overt psychosis, mental disability, or other condition that would preclude giving
informed consent

- No known sickle cell disease

- No uncontrolled severe hypertension

- Renal insufficiency that requires hemodialysis or renal insufficiency that is
reversible in patients with tumor confined to the primary site (i.e., that is
potentially resectable with neoadjuvant chemotherapy).