Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Liver Metastases From Colorectal Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Unresectable liver metastases secondary to colorectal cancer
• * Less than 70% liver involvement on CT scan or MRI
• * Liver biopsy required before study unless 1 of the following conditions are met:
• * Carcinoembryonic antigen greater than 30
• * 5 or more liver metastases visible on CT scan or MRI
• * Greater than 50% to under 70% liver involvement on CT scan or MRI
• Histologically proven primary colorectal cancer that is resected or appears resectable on CT scan and physical exam
• * Documentation of previously resected primaries must be based on pathologic results of the resected tumor
• * Histological documentation of synchronous disease must be based on 1 of the following:
• * Biopsy of primary colorectal tumor before study
• * Suspicious lesion on barium enema, colonoscopy, or sigmoidoscopy, and a liver biopsy positive for adenocarcinoma consistent with the primary colorectal tumor
• Measurable disease
• * Clearly defined liver mass measuring at least 2 cm or at least 3 liver masses on CT scan or MRI
• No evidence of extrahepatic disease on CT scan and physical exam
• No portal vein occlusion or ascites
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin no greater than 2 times normal
• Other:
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except inactive nonmelanomatous skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or grade 1 bladder cancer
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• Chemotherapy:
• At least 1 year since prior adjuvant chemotherapy comprising fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin calcium (CF) or 5-FU, CF, and levamisole (LEV)
• At least 6 months since prior adjuvant chemotherapy comprising 5-FU with or without LEV
• No other prior chemotherapy
• No other concurrent chemotherapy
• Endocrine therapy:
• No concurrent hormonal therapy except for nondisease-related conditions, e.g.:
• * Steroids for adrenal failure
• * Insulin for diabetes
• * Intermittent dexamethasone as an antiemetic
• Radiotherapy:
• No prior radiotherapy to the liver