Isolated Hepatic Perfusion With Melphalan Followed by Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Unresectable Liver Metastases From Colorectal Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed colorectal cancer Metastatic disease limited to the parenchyma of the liver No evidence of unresectable extrahepatic disease by preoperative radiology Limited extra-hepatic disease and dominant life-limiting liver disease allowed provided extra-hepatic sites are treatable by local ablative measures (e.g., surgical resection or external beam radiotherapy) At least 40% hepatic replacement by tumor by axial CT scan or MRI Unresectable liver metastases, defined by 1 of the following: More than 3 sites of disease in the liver Bilobar disease Tumor abutting major vascular or ductal structures Measurable disease Previously untreated disease PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic Hematocrit > 27.0% WBC > 3,000/mm^3 Platelet count > 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic Bilirubin < 2.0 mg/dL PT < 2 seconds above upper limit of normal Elevated transaminase levels allowed if due to liver metastases No cirrhosis by biopsy No significant portal hypertension as manifested by any of the following: Ascites Esophageal varices by endoscopy Significant collateral vessels around the organs drained by the portal venous system by radiography No chronic active hepatitis Hepatitis B and C surface antigen negative No history of veno-occlusive disease Renal Creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance > 60 mL/min Cardiovascular No ischemic cardiac disease No history of congestive heart failure LVEF > 40% by echocardiogram or stress thallium scan (for patients with cardiac disease) Pulmonary No chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other chronic pulmonary disease Pulmonary function tests ≥ 50% of predicted (for patients with pulmonary disease) Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception Weight > 30 kg No active infection No peripheral neuropathy ≥ grade 2 PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy Prior adjuvant chemotherapy (including leucovorin calcium, oxaliplatin, and fluorouracil) allowed provided it was administered > 6 months before liver metastases were diagnosed Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy for this malignancy and recovered Surgery Not specified Other No concurrent chronic anticoagulation therapy No concurrent immunosuppressive drugs