Clinical studies for the treatment of cancer are conducted at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas to answer specific questions about new and better ways to help prevent, diagnose or treat cancer. Some study new anti-cancer drugs, while others look at new ways to use current drugs or other forms of treatment. Clinical trials are designed to help physicians find out whether a new treatment is safe and effective.
Lalan Wilfong, M.D., oncologist on the medical staff at Texas Health Dallas, talks about the importance of clinical trials in chemotherapy.
At Texas Health Dallas, physicians on the medical staff conduct a number of drug studies for the treatment of cancer. You can learn more about specific cancer trials by contacting the Oncology Research Department at 214-345-8382.
Potential benefits of participating in a clinical trial include:
Access to treatment that is not otherwise available
The chance to possibly help others who have the same condition in the future by contributing to cancer research
Potential risks of participation include:
The new treatment may have unknown side effects or other risks, which may or may not be more severe than those from existing treatments.
As with other forms of therapy, the new treatment may not work for you even if it helps others.
If you participate in a randomized clinical trial, you may not have a choice about which treatment you receive. If the study is double blind, you and your doctor will not know which one you are getting (although this information is available if needed). This should be explained to you before you decide to participate.
Insurers do not always cover all of the costs associated with participating in a clinical trial. Talk to your insurance provider before you decide to participate.
If you decide to take part in a study, discuss with your doctor the risks and safeguards that have been put in place for patient safety. Follow this link to browse open clinical trials related to oncology.
