National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute
U.S. National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute
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How to Find a Cancer Treatment Trial: A 10-Step Guide
    Posted: 03/21/2005
Related Pages
Search for Clinical Trials 1
NCI's PDQ® registry of cancer clinical trials.

Educational Materials About Clinical Trials 2
What clinical trials are, how they work, and other educational materials for patients and professionals.
Related Information
View/Print a PDF of this guide 3

Need help finding a trial?
  Call 1-800-4-CANCER
Diagnosis Checklist

Fill out this Diagnosis Checklist before you start looking for a clinical trial. The checklist will help you know which clinical trials you are eligible to join.

See Step 3 4 for details about how to obtain the information you need for the checklist.

TIP: Download the PDF version of this guide 3 and save it to your own computer. Then you can print it out and fill in the answers to these questions to keep for later use.





  1. What kind of cancer do you have?
    Write down the full medical name.
    Answer:  
      

  2. Where did the cancer first start?
    Many cancers spread to the bones, liver, or elsewhere. However, the type of cancer you have is determined by where it first showed up. For example, breast cancer that spreads to the bone is still breast cancer.
    Answer:  
      

  3. What is the cancer's cell type?
    This information will be in your pathology report.
    Answer:  
      

  4. If there's a solid tumor, what size is it?
    Answer:  
      

  5. If there is a solid tumor, where is it located?
    If the tumor has spread, list all locations.
    Answer:  
      

  6. What stage is the cancer?
    The stage describes the extent of cancer in the body and whether it has spread from the original site. There are different staging systems for different cancers.
    Answer:  
      

  7. Have you had cancer before, different from the one you have now?
    If so, answer questions 1-6 for the other cancer, as well.
    Answer:  
      

  8. What is your current performance status?
    An assessment from your doctor indicating how well you are able to perform ordinary tasks and carry out daily activities.
    Answer:  
      

  9. If you have not yet had any treatment for cancer, what treatment(s) have been recommended to you?
    Answer:  
      

  10. If you have had treatment for cancer, please list (for example: type of surgery; chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation).
    Answer:  
      

  11. Bone marrow function (blood tests that check whether your blood count is normal):

    A.   White blood cell count
    Answer:  
      

    B.   Platelet count
    Answer:  
      

    C.   Hemoglobin/hematocrit
    Answer:  
      

  12. Liver function (blood tests that check whether your liver function is normal):

    A.   Bilirubin

    Answer:  
      

    B.   Transaminases
    Answer:  
      

  13. Renal function (blood test that checks whether your kidney function is normal):

    Serum creatinine
    Answer:  
      



Glossary Terms

pathology report (puh-THAH-loh-jee ...)
The description of cells and tissues made by a pathologist based on microscopic evidence, and sometimes used to make a diagnosis of a disease.


Table of Links

1http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search
2http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/learning
3http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/finding/treatment-trial-guide-pdf
4http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/finding/treatment-trial-guide/page5