Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients with rectal adenocarcinoma.

- Operable tumour, confirmed by magnetic resonance of high resolution and / or
endorectal echography, or,

- Rectal tumour at distal third, or

- Tumours spread more than 5 mm in perirectal fat

- Functional state ECOG ≤ 2.

- Good hematological, hepatic and renal function

Exclusion Criteria:

- Previous pelvis radiotherapy.

- Previous antitumoural chemotherapy

- Pregnant or breastfeeding women.

- Childbearing women with a positive pregnancy test result at baseline. Menopausal
women should not have the period for the last 12 months.

- History of any other neoplastic illness within the last 5 years, except for already
resolved small cell skin cancer or cervix cancer.

- Clinically significant cardiovascular disease

- Confirmed peripheral neuropathy.

- Gastrointestinal disorders or bad absorption syndrome or non-capable to take oral
medication.

- Blood disorders.

- Intercurrent non-controlled or severe infections.

- Patients who have undergone major surgery, open biopsies or with significant trauma
lesions within the previous 28 days.

The above information is not intended to contain all considerations relevant to a
patient's potential participation in a clinical trial.