DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade II or III
• No cytologic, colposcopic, or histologic evidence of invasive squamous cell carcinoma
• No evidence of glandular atypia on Pap smear, endocervical curettage, or biopsy
• No inadequate colposcopy (i.e., entire transformation zone cannot be visualized and/or upper limit of a colposcopically abnormal lesion cannot be visualized fully)
• HIV positive but not currently on antiviral therapy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 16 to 65

Performance status:

• 0-2

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• WBC greater than 4,000/mm^3
• Absolute neutrophil count greater than 2,000/mm^3
• Platelet count normal

Hepatic:

• Liver enzymes normal
• No liver impairment

Renal:

• BUN normal
• Creatinine normal
• No renal insufficiency

Cardiovascular:

• No coronary artery disease
• No cardiac arrhythmia
• No congestive heart failure

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for at least 1 month after study
• No other serious medical illness (e.g., non-insulin and insulin-dependent diabetes or connective tissue disorders)
• No other prior or concurrent malignancy
• No known G6PD deficiency
• No porphyria

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• Not specified

Endocrine therapy:

• Not specified

Radiotherapy:

• Not specified

Surgery:

• No history of 2 prior ablative/excisional therapies (i.e., cryotherapy, laser ablation, loop electrical excision procedure, or cold knife cone biopsy)

Other:

• No concurrent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
• No other concurrent significant medication/therapy such as:
• Anti-hypertensives, anti-arrhythmics, or inotropic agents for cardiopulmonary disease
• Diuretics for renal insufficiency
• Steroids or NSAIDs for connective tissue disorders