Laparoscopic-Assisted Surgery Compared With Open Surgery in Treating Patients With Colon Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Clinical diagnosis of primary adenocarcinoma * Involving a single colon segment: * Right colon from the ileocecal valve up to and including the hepatic flexure * Left colon from the splenic flexure to the junction of the sigmoid and descending colon * Sigmoid colon between the descending colon and the rectum (at least 15 cm from the dentate) * Diagnosis based on physical exam plus either a proctosigmoidoscopy and barium enema or a colonoscopy * No advanced local disease that renders laparoscopic resection impossible * No acutely obstructed or perforated colon cancer requiring urgent surgery * No transverse colon cancer (i.e., between distal hepatic flexure and proximal splenic flexure) * No stage IV disease * No rectal cancer (i.e., below the peritoneal reflection, lower edge of tumor less than 15 cm from dentate) * No American Society of Anesthesiologists IV/V disease classification * No associated gastrointestinal diseases (i.e., Crohn's, chronic ulcerative colitis, or familial polyposis) that require additional extensive operative evaluation or intervention PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Other: * No other prior or concurrent malignancy within the past 5 years except superficial squamous cell or basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Surgery: * No prohibitive scars/adhesions from prior abdominal surgery Other: * No concurrent investigational treatments or invasive diagnostic procedures within 30 days after surgery