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. Studies include new ways
to treat cancer of the larynx. Research
already has led to advances, and researchers continue to search for more
effective approaches.
People who
join these studies have the first chance to benefit from 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 very careful steps to
protect their patients.
People with laryngeal cancer are
participating in several types of treatment studies:
Radiation
therapy. Researchers are studying a new approach to
radiation therapy. Patients receive
radiation three times a day, 5 days a week, for just over 2 weeks, instead of
once a day for 5 to 7 weeks.
Drugs
that reduce side effects. Researchers are testing therapies that
reduce the side effects of radiation therapy.
They are testing drugs that may help patients maintain their weight or
help lessen damage to the skin during radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy.
Scientists are
studying drugs that kill cancer cells.
These drugs are used alone or in combination with radiation therapy to
spare the larynx from surgery.
Biological therapy.
Scientists are studying
monoclonal antibodies
that slow or stop the growth of cancer.
If you are
interested in learning more about joining a clinical trial, you may want to
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.
This section of the Web site provides general information about clinical
trials. It also offers detailed information about specific ongoing studies
of cancer of the larynx. The Cancer Information Service at
1-800-4-CANCER can answer questions and provide information
from the NCI’s database of clinical trials.
< Previous Section | Next Section > |