Comparative Study of Cetuximab and Radiation Vs Surgery Before or After Radiation in Patients With Colorectal Carcinoma

RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies, such as Cetuximab, can target tumor cells and either kill them or deliver tumor-killing substances to them without harming normal cells.This is an anti-cancer drug which has already been approved by the FDA for use in patients who have Colorectal Cancer. Cetuximab can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Radiation Therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and cause less damage to normal tissue . Giving the drug Cetuximab together with Radiation Therapy may kill more tumor cells. Surgery is the most common treatment for Colorectal Cancer to remove the tumor, as well as a small margin of surrounding normal tissue and possibly nearby lymph nodes. Surgery is usually used in conjunction with other conventional treatments such as Radiation Therapy. Radiation Therapy before surgery may make the tumor smaller and reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed. Radiation Therapy after surgery may kill any tumor cells that remain after surgery.
Screening test such as Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) and Colonoscopy has to be done. Tumor markers for Colorectal Carcinoma are Carcinoembryonic antigen (CAE) and CA 19-9 and to assess the response of tumor markers Carcinoembryonic antigen (CAE) and CA 19-9 will be used and periodically Colonoscopy has to be done. Colorectal Cancer Surgery are Colon resection (Colectomy), Rectum resection (Proctectomy), Colostomy, and Radiofrequency ablation.
PURPOSE: Determine the tumor response rate treated with Cetuximab and Radiation Therapy Vs Surgery before or after Radiation Therapy in patients with Colorectal Cancer from stage II to IV