In this article

• What Is a Clinical Trial?
• What Are the Different Types?
• Who Can Participate?
• What Are the Advantages of Participating?
• What Are the Disadvantages?
• Is It Safe to Be Part of a Study?
• What Happens if I Join a Trial?
• Questions to Ask Before Taking Part in a Clinical Trial

Questions to Ask Before Taking Part in a Clinical Trial

• What's the purpose of this trial?
• What kinds of tests and treatments does it involve? How are these tests given?
• What's likely to happen in my case with, or without, this new research treatment?
• Are there standard treatment options for my case, and how does the study compare with them?
• How could being a part of the trial affect my daily life?
• What side effects can I expect? (Remember: There can also be side effects from standard treatments and from the disease itself.)
• How long will the trial last?
• Will it require extra time on my part?
• Will I have to be hospitalized? If so, how often and for how long?
• If I choose to withdraw from the study, will my care be affected? Will I need to change doctors?