title: Quality of life and symptoms in long-term survivors of colorectal cancer: results from NSABP protocol LTS-01.
abstract: Little is known about health-related quality of life (HRQL) in long-term survivors (LTS) of colorectal cancer (CRC).
  
  
  
  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). A multivariable model identified predictors of overall quality of life (global health rating).
  
  
  
  Participants (N = 708) had significantly higher HRQL compared with age group-matched non-cancer controls with higher mean scores on SF-12 PCS (49.5 vs. 43.7, p = <0.05), MCS (55.6 vs. 52.1, p = <0.05), and SF-36 Vitality Scale (67.1 vs. 59.9, p = <0.05). Multivariable modeling has demonstrated that better overall physical and mental health (PCS and MCS), positive body image (EORTC-CR38 scale), and less fatigue (FSI), were strongly associated with overall quality of life as measured by the global health rating. Interestingly, ability to perform IADLs, experience of cancer, gastrointestinal complaints, and pain, were not important predictors.
  
  
  
  In long-term CRC survivors, overall physical and mental health was excellent compared with general population. Other disease-related symptoms did not detract from good overall health.
  
  
  
  LTS of CRC within the setting of a clinical trial have higher HRQL than the general population, and treatment regimens do not appear to be associated with any significant late effects on quality of life.
  
  
  
  NSABP LTS-01: NCT00410579.
authors: National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP)/NRG Oncology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.|Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Hiroko
authors: H
authors: Kunitake
authors: National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP)/NRG Oncology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Marcia.Russell2@va.gov.|David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard, Mail Code 10H2, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA. Marcia.Russell2@va.gov.
authors: Marcia M
authors: MM
authors: Russell
authors: Department of Health Policy and Management, The University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors: Ping
authors: P
authors: Zheng
authors: Department of Health Policy and Management, The University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.|The University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.|NRG Oncology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors: Greg
authors: G
authors: Yothers
authors: National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors: Stephanie R
authors: SR
authors: Land
authors: UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Petersen
authors: Kaiser Permanente Oncology Clinical Trials Northern California, Vallejo, CA, USA.
authors: Louis
authors: L
authors: Fehrenbacher
authors: Greenville Health System Cancer Institute, Greenville, SC, USA.
authors: Jeffery K
authors: JK
authors: Giguere
authors: National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP)/NRG Oncology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.|Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors: D Lawrence
authors: DL
authors: Wickerham
authors: National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP)/NRG Oncology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.|David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard, Mail Code 10H2, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA.
authors: Clifford Y
authors: CY
authors: Ko
authors: National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP)/NRG Oncology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.|UCLA Schools of Medicine and Public Health and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors: Patricia A
authors: PA
authors: Ganz
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Colorectal cancer; Quality of life; Survivors