DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the colon, meeting 1 of the following stage criteria:

  • Stage II disease (T3 or 4, N0, M0)
  • Stage III disease (any T, N1 or 2, M0)

• No rectal tumors

  • Distal extent of tumor ≥ 12 cm from the anal verge by endoscopy or surgical examination

• T4 tumors involving an adjacent structure (e.g., bladder, small intestine, or ovary) by direct extension from the primary tumor are eligible provided the following criteria are met:

  • All or a portion of the adjacent structure was removed en bloc with the primary tumor
  • All grossly visible tumor was completely resected (i.e., curative resection) in the opinion of the surgeon
  • Margins of the resected specimen not involved with malignant cells by pathology
  • Not planning local radiotherapy

• En bloc complete gross resection of tumor by open laparotomy or laparoscopically-assisted colectomy within the past 29-50 days

  • Two-stage surgical procedure allowed (i.e., decompressive colostomy followed by definitive surgical resection)

• Patients with > 1 synchronous primary colon tumor are eligible

  • Disease staging based on more advanced primary tumor
• No isolated, distant, or non-contiguous intra-abdominal metastases, even if resected

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

• 18 and over

Performance status

• ECOG 0-1

Life expectancy

• At least 5 years

Hematopoietic

• Absolute granulocyte count ≥ 1,500/mm^3 (unless it represents an ethnic or racial variation of normal)
• Postoperative platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3
• No significant bleeding unrelated to the primary colon tumor within the past 6 months

Hepatic

• Bilirubin ≤ upper limit of normal (ULN) (unless due to slow conjugation of bilirubin caused by Gilbert's disease or a similar syndrome)
• Alkaline phosphatase < 2.5 times ULN

• AST < 1.5 times ULN

  • If AST > normal, serologic testing for hepatitis B and C is required and the results must be negative

• No PT/INR > 1.5 unless patient is on full-dose anticoagulants AND the following criteria are met:

  • INR 2-3 on a stable dose of warfarin
  • No active bleeding
  • No pathological condition associated with a high risk of bleeding
• No hepatic disease that would preclude study participation
• No history of viral hepatitis or other chronic liver disease

Renal

• Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 times ULN
• Urine protein/creatinine ratio < 1.0 OR
• < 1 g of protein on 24-hour urine collection
• No renal disease that would preclude study participation

Cardiovascular

• No uncontrolled blood pressure, defined as > 150/90 mm Hg

• No cardiovascular disease that would preclude study participation, including any of the following:

  • New York Heart Association class III or IV myocardial disease
  • Myocardial infarction within the past 12 months
  • Unstable angina within the past 12 months
  • Symptomatic arrhythmia
• No history of transient ischemic attack or cerebrovascular accident
• No arterial thrombotic event within the past 12 months
• No symptomatic peripheral vascular disease

Other

• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except effectively treated squamous cell or basal cell skin cancer, melanoma in situ, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or carcinoma in situ of the colon or rectum

  • Must be at low risk of recurrence from any prior malignancy
• No serious or non-healing wound, skin ulcer, or bone fracture
• No active gastroduodenal ulcer by endoscopy
• No clinically significant peripheral neuropathy (i.e., neurosensory or neuromotor toxicity ≥ grade 2)
• No significant traumatic injury within the past 4 weeks
• No other nonmalignant systemic disease that would preclude study participation
• No psychiatric or addictive disorder or other condition that would preclude study participation
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test

• Fertile patients must use effective contraception

  • Patients randomized to receive bevacizumab must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study treatment

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• No concurrent prophylactic growth factors
• No concurrent biological response modifiers

Chemotherapy

• Not specified

Endocrine therapy

• Not specified

Radiotherapy

• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior radiotherapy for this malignancy
• No concurrent radiotherapy for this malignancy

Surgery

• See Disease Characteristics
• Recovered from prior surgery
• More than 4 weeks since prior major surgery or open biopsy
• More than 7 days since prior core biopsy or other minor surgery (except placement of a vascular access device)
• No concurrent or anticipated concurrent major surgery

Other

• No prior systemic therapy for this malignancy
• No concurrent halogenated antiviral agents (e.g., sorivudine)
• No other concurrent investigational drugs
• No other concurrent antineoplastic agents