Capecitabine (Xeloda) and Radiation for Patients With Rectosigmoid Carcinoma

Patients will all receive the combined treatment of 3-D external radiation therapy plus Xeloda®. External Radiation Therapy to the pelvis, lower abdomen and rectal area will be given once a day, five days a week, Monday through Friday, for about five to six weeks using three dimensional techniques. Xeloda® (oral chemotherapy) is a pill taken by mouth. This medication will be taken during the course of radiation therapy on days that radiation treatments are given. Xeloda pills will be taken twice daily beginning with the first day of radiation therapy treatments and ending on the last day of radiation therapy treatment. The following tests and procedures are part of regular medical treatment (standard care) for the disease and are also required for this study: * physical examinations, sometimes including a digital rectal exam * blood tests including a (blood) pregnancy test will be done before starting treatment if the patient is a woman able to have children. * urinalysis * ECG (heart tracing) * chest X-ray * ultrasound, which produces pictures of the rectal area using sound waves· CT scan of the pelvis and abdomen Some people may need surgery, others may require more chemotherapy, and others may require no additional treatment depending on how their tumor responded to the Xeloda® and radiation therapy treatments. Patients will also be asked to complete two questionnaires about their fatigue, general quality of life, and bowel functioning.