Chemotherapy and Cetuximab in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Peritoneal Carcinomatosis From Colorectal Cancer

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and fluorouracil, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Monoclonal antibodies, such as 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. Giving more than one drug (combination chemotherapy) together with cetuximab may kill more tumor cells.
PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well chemotherapy given together with cetuximab works in treating patients undergoing surgery to remove peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal cancer.