Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Resected Colon Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the colon that has been curatively resected within 42 days prior to entry, as follows: Stage II (T3-4 N0 M0, Modified Astler-Coller B2/3), i.e., tumor invasion of the wall of the colon or extension into the pericolonic tissue Stage III (any T N1-3 M0), i.e., tumor invasion of any depth No sarcoma, lymphoma, or carcinoid histology No laparoscopically assisted colectomy unless performed on protocol NCCTG-934653 (intergroup study INT-0146) Entire tumor located above the peritoneal reflection on surgical exploration or more than 15 cm from anal verge on endoscopy Involved adjacent structures (e.g., bladder, small intestine, ovary) removed en bloc with histologically negative margins More than 1 synchronous primary colon tumor allowed Most advanced tumor used for stage assignment No previous or synchronous rectal cancer Intestinal obstruction allowed Preliminary or complementary colostomy allowed Walled-off perforation allowed No free perforation, i.e., free air or fluid in abdomen No prior invasive colon or rectal malignancy regardless of disease-free interval
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 10 years (excluding cancer diagnosis) Hematopoietic: WBC at least 4,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin normal AST or ALT normal Renal: Creatinine normal Cardiovascular: No active ischemic heart disease No NYHA class III/IV status No myocardial infarction within 6 months No symptomatic arrhythmia within 6 months Other: No nonmalignant systemic disease that precludes protocol treatment No psychiatric or addictive disorder that precludes informed consent No second malignancy within 10 years except: Effectively treated nonmelanomatous skin cancer Surgically cured carcinoma in situ of the cervix Lobular carcinoma in situ of the breast No pregnant women Effective contraception required of fertile patients
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: See Disease Characteristics No prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy