Clinical Research Directory

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed colorectal adenocarcinoma metastatic to the liver * Previously treated or untreated disease * No clinical or radiographic evidence of extrahepatic disease * Primary tumor may be present at study registration provided it is not obstructing the intestinal lumen or is significantly bleeding * If present, the primary tumor will be resected at the time of pump placement * Must have inoperable liver metastases confirmed by 2-3 hepatobiliary surgeons and the assigned radiologist * Liver metastases \< 70% of the liver parenchyma * Inoperable liver metastases is defined by one of the following: * More than 6 metastases in a single lobe with one lesion ≥ 5 cm * At least 6 metastases distributed diffusely in both lobes of the liver * When a margin-negative resection would require resection of all three hepatic veins, both portal veins, or the retrohepatic vena cava * Requires a resection that leaves \< 2 hepatic segments (not including the caudate lobe) behind with adequate arterial or portal inflow, venous outflow, and biliary drainage * No ascites or hepatic encephalopathy * No history of primary CNS tumors PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * Karnofsky performance status 60-100% * WBC ≥ 3,000/mm\^3 * ANC ≥ 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3 * INR \< 1.5 * Hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL * Creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dL * Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 mg/dL * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * Physically able to tolerate major partial hepatectomy * No active infection * No concurrent active malignancies, except potentially resectable primary colorectal tumor * No bleeding diathesis or coagulopathy * No history of serious systemic disease, including any of the following: * Myocardial infarction within the past 6 months * Uncontrolled hypertension (i.e., blood pressure \> 150/100 mm Hg on medication) * Unstable angina * New York Heart Association class II-IV congestive heart failure * Unstable symptomatic arrhythmia requiring medication * Chronic atrial arrhythmia (i.e., atrial fibrillation or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia) allowed * Peripheral vascular disease ≥ grade 2 * No serious or nonhealing active wound, ulcer, or bone fracture * No history of seizures not well controlled with standard medical therapy * No stroke or transient ischemic attack within the past 6 months * No concurrent obstruction of the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy to the pelvis * Prior chemotherapy allowed * No prior radiotherapy, hepatic thermal ablation, or resection (other than biopsy) to the liver * No prior floxuridine * No prior hepatic arterial infusion * No concurrent chronic aspirin (\> 325 mg/day) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications known to inhibit platelet function * No other concurrent investigational agents