Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy With Incorporated Boost and Capecitabine Before Surgery in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed primary adenocarcinoma of the rectum
• * Distal border of the tumor within 12 cm of the anal verge by proctoscopic exam
• * Clinical stage T3-4, N1-2 (stage II or III) disease by 2 of the following tests:
• * Physical exam
• * Transrectal ultrasound
• * Pelvic CT scan
• * Pelvic MRI
• No clinical evidence of metastatic disease
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age
• 18 and over
• Performance status
• ECOG 0-1
• Life expectancy
• More than 3 months
• Hematopoietic
• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3
• No known, uncontrolled coagulopathy
• Hepatic
• Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• SGOT and SGPT ≤ 1.5 times ULN
• Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 times ULN
• Renal
• Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times normal
• Creatinine clearance \> 50 mL/min
• Cardiovascular
• No clinically significant cardiac disease
• No congestive heart failure
• No symptomatic coronary artery disease
• No poorly controlled cardiac arrhythmias
• No myocardial infarction within the past year
• Gastrointestinal
• No active inflammatory bowel disease
• No lack of physical integrity of the upper gastrointestinal tract
• No malabsorption syndrome
• Other
• No other prior or concurrent malignancy except inactive, non-invasive carcinoma of the cervix or non-melanoma skin cancer
• No concurrent serious, uncontrolled infection(s)
• No prior unanticipated severe reaction to fluoropyrimidine therapy
• No known sensitivity to fluorouracil
• No prior uncontrolled seizures
• No CNS disorders that would preclude study participation
• No other medical or psychiatric condition that would preclude study participation
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study participation
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy
• No prior immunotherapy for rectal cancer
• Chemotherapy
• No prior chemotherapy for rectal cancer
• Endocrine therapy
• Not specified
• Radiotherapy
• No prior radiotherapy for rectal cancer
• No prior pelvic radiotherapy
• Surgery
• More than 4 weeks since prior major surgery and recovered
• No prior surgery for rectal cancer
• Other
• More than 4 weeks since prior participation in another investigational drug study
• No concurrent celecoxib