Clinical Trials for Cancer
A clinical trial is a study of a new or different way to treat cancer. Often medicines or other treatments that are not yet proved to be effective with a particular cancer are tested. Such treatments might include hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, or new surgical techniques.
People participating in clinical trials receive all other recommended treatments for their cancer and are closely monitored.
Background Natural history, incidence, and mortality In the United States in 2011, it is estimated that 12,710 cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed and that 4,290 women will die of the disease.[1] These rates have been improving steadily. Mortality rates declined from 1975 to 2003, but have remained stable since 2003.[1] This improvement has been attributed largely to screening with the Papanicolaou (Pap) test. Invasive squamous carcinoma of the cervix results from...
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Participants in trials must meet the specific guidelines that each clinical trial has in order to be a part of the trial. Sometimes the clinical trials are conducted at major medical centers. Other times the trial participant receives treatment by the primary care doctor at home.
For more information, call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).
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