There exists little published data studying the health related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients treated for the rectal cancer. Patients are commonly treated with surgery preceded or followed by chemo radiotherapy. Patients chart review and questionnaires administered during follow-up exam or by mailing will be use to compile data comparing the HRQOL of the two study groups(Preoperative versus Post operative chemotherapy).

Our Radiation Oncologist will also informed all the new pts. under going radiotherapy regarding this study and will encourage them in become part of our study population. The prospective study will help us in increasing the number of participants and also it give us an opportunity following the patients as they go through their treatment.

Through the use of department databases, a cohort or rectal cancer patients treated at Stanford will be indentified. Patients demographics, treatment received ,disease outcomes, and treatment associated complications will be compiled from available data. HRQOL questionnaires will be answered through a mailing or during clinic visits. Treatment outcomes, toxicities and overall quality of life of preoperative and postoperative chemo radiotherapy treatment group will be compared in relation to the lesion location.