OBJECTIVES:~Determine the feasibility, in terms of toxicity and patient compliance, of thalidomide in patients with asymptomatic, indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia.~Determine the event-free and progression-free survival of patients treated with this drug.~Determine disease response and time to next treatment in patients treated with this drug.~Determine the quality of life of patients treated with this drug.~OUTLINE: Patients receive oral thalidomide once daily. Treatment continues for 18 months in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.~Quality of life is assessed at baseline, monthly during study, and at the end of the study.~PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 30-36 patients will be accrued for this study within 2 years.
RATIONALE: Thalidomide may stop the growth of cancer by stopping blood flow to the tumor.~PURPOSE: Phase I trial to determine the effectiveness of thalidomide in treating patients who have asymptomatic, indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia.