Prospective Assessment of Symptoms and Quality of Life in Rectal Cancer Patients Receiving Chemo-Radiotherapy

Inclusion Criteria:

* All of the following questions must be answered "yes" for a patient to be eligible for this protocol.

  1. Is there a working diagnosis of rectal cancer? YES NO
  2. Will the patient be receiving neoadjuvant concurrent chemotherapy and pelvic radiation? YES NO
  3. Is the pelvic radiation planned for a dose of 45-54 Gy and will it be delivered using a standard 3-field technique? YES NO
  4. Is the patient ≥ 18 years of age? YES NO
  5. Can the patient give informed consent? YES NO

Exclusion Criteria:

* All of the following questions must be answered "no" for a patient to be eligible for this protocol.

  1. Has there been prior radiation to the pelvis? YES NO
  2. Is the patient in the "special category" designated by the Public Health Service (patients younger than 18, pregnant women, and prisoners)? YES NO