OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to describe health related quality of life in different stages of colorectal cancer in patients attended in a tertiary referral center at the Social Security Mexican Institute METHODS Were included outpatients with colorectal cancer, attended in a tertiary referral center since July to August 2008, with the following inclusion criteria: older than 16 years, colorectal cancer histological diagnosis, accepted were included through informed consent; were excluded patients with second malignant neoplasm or incomplete information. To calculate health related quality of life EORTC QLQ-C30 score validated Spanish version to México was used; were evaluated global health status, functional scales (physical, role, emotional, cognitive, social) and symptom scales (fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, dyspnea, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation, diarrhea, financial difficulties) in scale since 0 to 100 (0=death, 100=perfect health). Were calculated means and range for EORTC QLQ-C30 score items; statistical differences were calculated through ANOVA test, p value <0.05 was considered significant RESULTS We studied 31 colorectal cancer patients, mean age patients was 55±11.5 years old, 54% were women, 71% were married, and 38% had secondary school. The stating of this group was distributed as follow: II-4 (13%), III-2 (6%) IV-7 (23%) and NC (non-classified)-18 (58%) (without complete histopathology report). Health related quality of life mean according stage for all items was: II:57±22, III:86±12 and IV:66±14 NC 76±19 (p= 0.17) The assumptions associated with a decreased health related quality of life associated with disease progression were pain (II-20, III-75, IV-52;p=0.02) and financial problems (II-25, III-100, IV-76;p=0.09. CONCLUSIONS We observed a decreased health related quality of life associated with late clinical stage by pain and financial problems.