Cognitive Function and Fatigue in Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Patients After Chemotherapy

This is a prospective, longitudinal cohort study to evaluate fatigue and cognitive function in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) treated with chemotherapy, and in patients with the same malignancy, that do not receive chemotherapy. A self-report questionnaire for fatigue (the FACT-F), and validated tests of cognitive function, will be applied at predetermined times before, during and after chemotherapy, to determine the incidence, severity and duration of these symptoms. Comparisons will be made in changes in cognition for individuals, as well as between the chemotherapy and the control group. Mechanisms that might lead to fatigue and/or cognitive decline will be investigated.