Study of Micrometastases in Patients With Stage I or Stage II Localized Colon Cancer That Can Be Removed by Surgery

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically or radiologically confirmed primary colon cancer

  * Stage I or II disease
* Clinically localized disease judged potentially resectable for cure, without intraoperatively gross nodal involvement
* Planning to undergo elective resection of the tumor
* No histologically or radiologically confirmed locoregional lymph node or distant metastasis
* No disseminated disease
* No clinical tumor perforation or obstruction
* Patients enrolled in stage 2 and undergoing randomization must also meet the following criteria:

  * pN0micro+ disease as evidenced by detection of sentinel lymph node isolated tumor cells (\<0.2 mm) or micrometastasis (0.2 - 2 mm)
  * No high-risk pN0 disease meeting any of the following criteria:

    * Less then 10 lymph nodes detected in resected specimen
    * Invasion in other organs (T4, Nx, Mx)
    * Colon perforation at presentation
    * Obstruction at presentation
    * Angioinvasion at pathological examination
  * No rectal cancer
  * No clinically positive nodal tumors or advanced disease (stage III or Dukes stage C disease)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

* Patients enrolled in stage 2 and undergoing randomization must also meet the following criteria:

  * WHO performance status 0-1 or American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification 1-2
  * Not pregnant or nursing
  * Able to comply with requirements of the study
  * Must be fit to undergo chemotherapy treatment
  * No other current serious illness or medical conditions, including any of the following:

    * Severe cardiac illness (NYHA class III-IV disease)
    * Significant neurologic or psychiatric disorders
    * Uncontrolled infections
    * Active disseminated intravascular coagulation
    * Other serious underlying medical conditions that could impair the ability of the patient to participate in the study
  * No known hypersensitivity to study drugs
  * No definite contraindications for the use of corticosteroids

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

* No prior colorectal surgery
* Patients enrolled in stage 2 and undergoing randomization must also meet the following criteria:

  * No prior chemotherapy (for patients enrolled in stage 2 and undergoing randomization only)
  * At least 4 weeks since prior and no other concurrent experimental drugs
  * No concurrent immunosuppressive or antiviral drugs