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Mesothelioma Treatments Clinical trials have been around for years. But what is exactly is a clinical trial and what is their purpose? Well clinical trials are experimental treatments in patients. During a course of treatment for lung cancer, the doctor may suggest that a patient take part in a clinical trial of a new treatment. A clinical trial is only done when there is some reason to believe that the treatment being studied may be of value to the patient. Treatments used in clinical trials are often found to have real benefits. There are three stages of clinical trials. These three stages need to be thoroughly studied before the treatment can be sent the FDA for final approval. In Phase 1, the purpose is to find the best way to give a new treatment and how much of that treatment to give safely. During the phase, physicians watch patients for any side effects. During Phase 2, the purpose is to test the effectiveness of the Phase 1 results. Patients are closely monitored for an anticancer effect by careful measurement of cancer sites present at the beginning of the trial. Also, any side effects are recorded and assessed. Phase 3 requires a large amount of patients. Some trials even enroll hundreds even thousands of people. One of the groups may receive standard (the most accepted) treatment, so the new treatments can be directly compared. The group that receives the standard treatment is called the "control group.” All patients in Phase III trials are monitored closely for side effects, and treatment is discontinued if the side effects are too severe. Clinical trials are very useful to researchers but there are some risks to patients who are involved in these trials. They have no clue in advance whether or not the treatment will even work and if it does what the side effects will be. But that is the intent and purpose of these trials. Enrollment in a clinical trial is completely voluntarily. A patient decides whether or not they want to participate. If you decide to take part in the trial, your doctors and nurses will explain the entire process to you. You will also have to sign a consent form indicating your desire to take part in the trial. It is important to remember that even after you have signed the form and started the trial, you are still free to leave the trial at any time. To find out more about clinical trials or how to participate in one, ask your cancer team or contact your local hospital or cancer center. All Text Copyright © Safety2005.org |
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