Postoperative Chemotherapy With or Without Bevacizumab for Patients With Stage II or III Rectal Cancer

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the rectum meeting 1 of the following clinical (e.g., before neoadjuvant therapy) or pathologic staging criteria:

  * T3, N+, M0
  * T3, N0, M0
  * T4, N0, M0
  * Any T, N1-2, M0
* T4, N0-2, M0 disease must meet 1 of the following criteria:

  * Clinically fixed tumor on rectal examination with tumor adherent to the pelvic sidewall or sacrum
  * Hydronephrosis on Computed Tomography (CT) scan or Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)
  * Ureteric or bladder invasion as documented by cystoscopy and cytology or biopsy
  * Invasion into prostate
  * Vaginal or uterine involvement
* Must have undergone complete tumor resection \>= 28 days ago and able to begin treatment by day 56
* Must have undergone concurrent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy\*

  * NOTE: \*Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy received on protocol NSABP-R-04 allowed provided it met these criteria
* Must have undergone prior radiotherapy at 40-55.8 Gy\*\* AND received 1 of the following chemotherapy regimens:

  * Continuous infusion of fluorouracil with or without oxaliplatin; fluorouracil and leucovorin calcium
  * Capecitabine with or without oxaliplatin; capecitabine with or without oxaliplatin OR a continuous infusion of fluorouracil with or without oxaliplatin received on protocol NSABP-R-04
  * NOTE: \*\*Intensity-modulated radiotherapy allowed
* ECOG performance status 0-1
* Platelet count \>= 100,000/mm\^3
* Absolute granulocyte count \>= 1,500/mm\^3
* Bilirubin normal (unless chronic grade 1 bilirubin elevation due to Gilbert's disease or similar syndrome due to slow conjugation of bilirubin)
* Alkaline phosphatase (AP) \< 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) \< 1.5 times ULN
* Hepatitis B and C negative (for patients with AP \> normal) unless previously vaccinated
* Serum creatinine =\< 1.5 times ULN
* Urine protein:creatinine (UPC) ratio \< 1.0 OR urine protein \< 1 g on 24-hour urine collection
* International Normalized Ratio (INR) =\< 1.5
* INR \> 1.5 allowed provided patient is on full-dose anticoagulants AND meets all of the following criteria:

  * In-range INR (i.e., between 2 and 3) on a stable dose of warfarin or low molecular weight heparin
  * No active bleeding or pathological condition that is associated with a high risk of bleeding
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for at least 3 months after study treatment
* No other previous or concurrent malignancy except nonmelanoma skin cancer, breast cancer in situ, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or previously treated nonpelvic cancer that has been disease-free for \> 5 years
* Patients with a history of breast cancer (without evidence of disease) who remain on hormonal therapy for \> 5 years are eligible
* Patients with a history of hypertension must have blood pressure \< 150/90 mm Hg AND be on a stable regimen of antihypertensive therapy
* No other prior chemotherapy or pelvic radiotherapy except as neoadjuvant treatment for current diagnosis of rectal cancer
* Concurrent participation on protocol NSABP-R-04 allowed

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant or nursing
* Evidence of metastatic disease on the surgical/intraoperative examination
* Evidence of metastatic disease confirmed by CT scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound of the liver or chest CT scan or chest x-ray within the past 6 months
* Evidence of tumor outside of the pelvis, including liver metastases, peritoneal seeding, or metastatic inguinal lymphadenopathy
* Concurrent major surgery
* Active bleeding not related to the primary rectal tumor within the past 6 months
* Active inflammatory bowel disease or other serious medical illness which might limit the ability of the patient to receive protocol therapy
* Active gastroduodenal ulcer determined by endoscopy
* Serious or nonhealing wound, skin ulcer, or bone fracture
* Clinically significant peripheral sensory or motor neuropathy \>= grade 2
* Nonmalignant systemic disease (e.g., cardiovascular, renal, or hepatic) that would preclude study treatment including, but not limited to, any of the following:

  * New York Heart Association class III or IV congestive heart failure
  * Concurrent symptomatic arrhythmia
* Transient ischemic attack or cerebrovascular accident
* Arterial thromboembolic event, unstable angina, or myocardial infarction within the past 12 months
* Significant peripheral vascular disease
* Psychiatric or addictive disorders or other conditions that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude study requirements
* Significant traumatic injury within the past 28 days
* Known allergy to platinum compounds
* Prior invasive procedure, including either of the following:

  * Major surgical procedure or open biopsy within the past 28 days
  * Core biopsy or other minor procedure, except placement of a vascular access device, within the past 7 days