July 2008 Clinical Trials  (UPDATED!)
Choosing a Clinical Trial
Clinical Trial Resources
Clinical Trials Staff

Clinical Trials

 Clinical trials are research studies that have been carefully designed by doctors and reviewed by a board of medical specialists to find new ways to improve health and cancer care. Each study tries to answer scientific questions and to find better ways to prevent, diagnose or treat cancer. It is one of the final stages of a long and careful cancer research process. Studies are done only with cancer patients that have volunteered to enroll in a study to determine if promising approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment are safe and effective.

In the following sections you will find information about whether you are eligible for one of these studies and an updated link to the current trials that are open to patients.

Choosing a Clinical Trial

At UT Medical Center's Cancer Institute, people volunteer to participate in a clinical trial for a number of reasons. Some people hope the treatment(s) they receive will help their disease.  Some may participate in a clincal trail aimed to prevent a disease.Others simply want to help the advancement of healthcare.

The decision-making process usually begins with two key pieces of information: the diagnosis (name and extent of the cancer) and the prognosis (likelihood of disease-free survival with standard therapy).

Enrollment in clinical trials is always voluntary. Also, participants may withdraw from a clinical trial at any time.

Because clinical trials are designed and used to address unanswered questions, the decision is a personal one which should be made by you, with those close to you, and with your healthcare professionals. More information about these trials may be obtained by viewing or downloading a listing of the UT Cancer Institute's current clinical trials listed at the top of this page or you also can call one of our qualified staff members at 865.305.9773.

Possible benefits to participating in a clinical trail includes:

• High Quality Care
• New Treatment Approach
• Taking an active role in treatment decision-making
• Chance to help others and improve cancer treatments

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Clinical Trials Resources

Cancer Trials Support Unit
American College of Surgeons Oncology Group
Southwest Oncology Group
NCI- National Cancer Institute
National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project
National Comprehensive Cancer Network

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Clinical Trials Staff

Barbara Munsey, Manager
Shanna Overbey, Study Coordinator
Mary Donovan, Study Coordinator
Patti Jones, Data Coordinator

865-305-9773 phone
865-305-6818 fax

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