Doctors all over the country are conducting many types of clinical trials (research studies in which people volunteer to take part). For stomach cancer, they are studying surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and combinations of these types of treatment.

Clinical trials are designed to answer important questions and to find out whether new approaches are safe and effective. Research already has led to advances, and researchers continue to search for more effective methods for dealing with stomach cancer.

People who join clinical trials may be among the first to benefit if a new approach is effective. And even if people in a trial do not benefit directly, they still make an important contribution by helping doctors learn more about stomach cancer and how to control it in other patients. Although clinical trials may have some risks, doctors do all they can to protect their patients.

If you are interested in being part of a clinical trial, talk with your doctor. You may want to read the NCI booklet Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies. It explains how clinical trials are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks.

NCI's Web site includes a section on clinical trials at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials. It has general information about clinical trials as well as a search form to help you find studies of stomach cancer in progress. Information Specialists at 1-800-4-CANCER or at LiveHelp at http://www.cancer.gov/cis can answer questions and provide information about clinical trials.

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