Fluorouracil and Leucovorin With or Without Irinotecan in Treating Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven metastatic adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum Measurable or evaluable disease outside of any prior radiation port No CNS metastases
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.25 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (1.5 times ULN if liver metastasis present) AST and ALT no greater than 3 times ULN (5 times ULN if liver metastasis present) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.25 times ULN Cardiovascular: No severe cardiac disease No uncontrolled angina pectoris No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months Gastrointestinal: No unresolved bowel obstruction or subobstruction No uncontrolled Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis No history of chronic diarrhea Other: No second malignancy except carcinoma in situ of the cervix or nonmelanomatous skin cancer No other uncontrolled severe medical condition Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease No prior adjuvant chemotherapy containing topoisomerase I inhibitors At least 6 months since other prior adjuvant chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Concurrent corticosteroids allowed Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Surgery: Not specified Other: At least 4 weeks since other prior investigational drugs No other concurrent anticancer therapy