Clinical trials are research studies that involve people. Understanding what they are can help you decide if a clinical trial might be an option for you.
Cancer clinical trials take place in cities and towns throughout the world. They take place in doctors’ offices, cancer centers, medical centers, community hospitals and clinics. A single trial may take place in one or two places, or at different sites.
When you talk with your doctor about treatment options, ask about clinical trials. There may be one that is right for you.
ClinicalTrials.gov is awebsite that lists clinical trials. This website includes trials for many diseases and conditions, including bladder cancer.
Most clinical trials test new treatments or new ways of using existing treatments, such as new drugs, vaccines, approaches to surgery or radiation therapy, or combinations of treatments.
Treatment trials are designed to answers questions such as:
- What new treatment methods can help people who have cancer?
- What is the most effective treatment for people who have cancer?
- Does the new treatment work as well as the old treatment?
- What are the new treatment’s side effects?