Quality of life and symptoms in long-term survivors of colorectal cancer: results from NSABP protocol LTS-01.

Purpose: Little is known about health-related quality of life (HRQL) in long-term survivors (LTS) of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: Long-term CRC survivors (≥5 years) treated in previous National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project trials were recruited from 60 sites. After obtaining consent, a telephone survey was administered, which included HRQL instruments to measure physical health (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living [IADL], SF-12 Physical Component Scale [PCS], SF-36 Vitality Scale), mental health (SF-12 Mental Component Scale [MCS], Life Orientation Test, and Impact of Cancer), and clinical symptoms (Fatigue Symptom Inventory [FSI], European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Colorectal Module [EORTC-CR38], and Brief Pain Inventory).