Quality of life in Dukes' B and C colorectal carcinoma

Adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) is standard therapy in Dukes' C colorectal carcinoma (CRC) in several countries. Several studies have documented a significant improvement in overall survival, but the clinical efficacy on quality of life (QoL) has been doubted. To clarify this item, we performed a study on QoL in 94 CRC patients diagnosed between 1993-96 and randomised to surgery with or without ACT. 82 'survivors' were mailed the EORTC QLQ C-30. Sixty-two patients (76%) responded. They reported a high level of functioning and a low frequency of symptoms. ACT did not improve global QoL, and tended to cause less pain (p=0.023) and more nausea/vomiting (p=0.065).