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 (Efudex™, Fluoroplex™, Carac™) * 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-A™, Tretinoin™); or oral retinoids (Amnesteem™, Claravis™, Sotret™) * 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