Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Diagnosis of colorectal cancer as detected by proctosigmoidoscopy, flexible
endoscopy, or gastrografin/barium enema

- No evidence of distant metastases by CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis AND chest
x-ray or CT scan of the chest performed within 6 weeks prior to enrollment

- Preoperative CT scans and testing showing non-specific or non-diagnostic
(equivocal) abnormalities may be eligible pending intraoperative exploration

- No discovery of distant metastases intra-operatively

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- ECOG performance status (PS) or Zubrod PS equal to 2

- Life expectancy > 5 years not including the disease/diagnosis of colorectal cancer

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

- No requirement for emergent surgery (within 2 hours of presentation) to prevent a
life-threatening situation or death including:

- Perforated colon

- Metabolically significant complete bowel obstruction

- Massive GI bleeding

- Occult bleeding or early or partial bowel obstruction not requiring emergent
surgery allowed

- No history of Crohn disease, chronic ulcerative colitis, or familial polyposis

- No other malignancy within the past 3 years except for completely resected cervical
cancer, skin cancer, or in situ cancer

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- See Disease Characteristics

- See Patient Characteristics

- No concurrent participation in another research protocol

- Participation during follow up allowed