S1013: Validation of Cancer Questionnaire for Skin Toxicities in Patients With Colorectal Cancer or Lung Cancer Receiving Cetuximab, Panitumumab, or Erlotinib Hydrochloride

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Patients must have a diagnosis of colorectal or lung cancer and be planning to receive one of the following epidermal growth factor receptor (HER1/EGFR) inhibitor therapies listed below for at least 6 weeks:

Cetuximab 400 mg/m² loading dose, 250 mg/m² weekly
Cetuximab 500 mg/m² every 2 weeks
Panitumumab 6 mg/kg every 2 weeks
Erlotinib hydrochloride 100-150 mg daily
Other HER1/EGFR inhibitor therapies, schedules, or doses of the above listed agents are not allowed
Concurrent chemotherapy and other anti-cancer therapies (such as carboplatin, paclitaxel, and bevacizumab) are allowed EXCEPT for the following chemotherapeutic agents that are known to cause skin rash that could interfere with EGFRI-induced skin toxicity assessment: gemcitabine, capecitabine, and topical fluorouracil (Efudexâ„¢, Fluoroplexâ„¢, Caracâ„¢)
Patients must have completed the baseline S1013 Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy- (FACT) EGFRI 18 within 7 days prior to registration

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Patients must have a Zubrod performance status of 0-2
Patients must not have any of the following serious concomitant skin disorders that, in the investigator's opinion, could interfere with assessment of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor (EGFRI)-induced skin toxicity: atopic dermatitis [eczema]; contact dermatitis; psoriasis; rosacea; severe photosensitivity; scleroderma; steroid-induced acne; or xerosis
Patients must be able to complete questionnaires in English

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

See Disease Characteristics
Patients may have had prior epidermal growth factor receptor (HER1/EGFR) inhibitor therapy but must have fully recovered from any skin toxicities prior to registration
Patients must not be planning to receive any of the following concomitant medications that can cause skin rash or other dermatologic reactions that could interfere with the EGFRI-induced skin toxicity assessments, for the duration of the study: allopurinol; systemic corticosteroids; topical retinoids (Retin-Aâ„¢, Tretinoinâ„¢); or oral retinoids (Amnesteemâ„¢, Claravisâ„¢, Sotretâ„¢)
Patients must not be planning to receive concurrent external-beam radiation therapy, including prophylactic cranial radiation
Patients may concurrently participate in other therapeutic clinical trials