Delayed Nausea and Vomiting in Patients With Colorectal Cancer Receiving Oxaliplatin

Prevalence of Delayed Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Being Treated With Oxaliplatin-based Regimens (mFOLFOX6 or FOLFOX7) for Colorectal Cancer

RATIONALE: Learning how often patients experience nausea and vomiting after receiving anti-vomiting medicine and chemotherapy for colorectal cancer may help doctors plan better treatment and improve patients' quality of life.

PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying delayed nausea and vomiting in patients with colorectal cancer receiving standard anti-vomiting medicine during the first course of chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVES:

• To assess the prevalence of delayed nausea and vomiting in patients with colorectal cancer receiving standard anti-emetic medications during the first course of an oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy regimen (mFOLFOX6 or FOLFOX7).

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.

Patients undergo collection of demographic, diagnostic, and treatment data at baseline. Patients complete the Functional Living Index-Emesis (FLIE) questionnaire at baseline prior to first chemotherapy infusion and at 5-7 days. Patients also fill out daily patient diaries about symptoms of nausea and vomiting, and use of medications to prevent these symptoms over days 1-5.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of colorectal cancer

• Currently receiving OR scheduled to receive the first course of either of the following chemotherapy regimens:

  • mFOLFOX6
  • FOLFOX7

• No clinical or imaging evidence of brain metastasis

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Able to maintain a diary and complete a standardized quality of life questionnaire in English

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics
• More than 90 days since prior aprepitant