Fluorouracil, Leucovorin, and Irinotecan in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Metastatic Unresectable Colorectal Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed colorectal adenocarcinoma
• * Metastatic, unresectable disease
• Meets 1 of the following criteria:
• * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable metastatic lesion at least 10 mm by spiral scan OR 20 mm by conventional scan
• * Evaluable disease
• * Evidence of disease (e.g., ascites or bone metastases) by imaging techniques
• Progressive disease as defined by 1 of the following criteria:
• * Progressive disease while receiving first-line chemotherapy
• * Recurrent disease within 6 months after completing adjuvant chemotherapy
• No symptomatic brain metastases
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age
• 18 to 80
• Performance status
• WHO 0-2
• Life expectancy
• At least 3 months
• Hematopoietic
• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3
• Hepatic
• Bilirubin \< 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Alkaline phosphatase \< 3 times ULN
• Renal
• Not specified
• Cardiovascular
• No uncontrolled angina
• No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
• Gastrointestinal
• No chronic diarrhea grade 2 or greater
• No unresolved fully or partially obstructed intestine
• Other
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No other underlying disease or medical condition that would preclude study participation
• No other prior malignancy except curatively treated basal cell cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• No psychological, social, familial, or geographical condition that would preclude study follow-up
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy
• Not specified
• Chemotherapy
• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior irinotecan
• Endocrine therapy
• Not specified
• Radiotherapy
• At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• Surgery
• At least 3 weeks since prior surgery
• Other
• No other concurrent clinical trial participation