The Promise of Cancer Research
Doctors all over the country are conducting many types of clinical trials. These
are research studies in which people take part voluntarily. Doctors are
studying ways to treat bladder cancer and prevent it from coming back. Research
already has led to advances in these areas, and researchers continue to search
for more effective approaches.
Patients who join clinical trials have the first chance to benefit from new
treatments that have shown promise in earlier research. They also make an
important contribution to medical science by helping doctors learn more about
the disease. Although clinical trials may pose some risks, researchers take
many steps to protect their patients.
Patients who are interested in joining a clinical study should talk with their
doctor. They 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 at http://www.cancer.gov
provides general information about clinical trials. It also offers detailed
information about specific ongoing studies of bladder cancer by linking to
PDQ®, NCI's cancer information database. The Cancer Information Service at
1-800-4-CANCER can answer questions and provide information from the PDQ
database.
Doctors are studying surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, biological
therapy, and combinations of these types of treatment. Another approach under
study is
photodynamic therapy, which uses
drugs that start to work when exposed to light. After the cancer cells absorb
the drug, the doctor shines a special light inside the bladder through a
cystoscope. The drug becomes active and kills the cancer cells.
Doctors also are studying whether large doses of vitamins or certain drugs may
prevent bladder cancer from coming back after treatment.
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