88
patients with similar characteristics and be free of bias. Both treatments
are expected to be active. The randomization in phase III trials allows
researchers to determine whether or not the new treatment is any more
effective or less toxic than the standard of care.
Source: Understanding Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma – A Guide for Patients, Survivors
and Loved Ones, Third Edition; Lymphoma Research Foundation
Who’s on the Clinical Trial Team?
A clinical trial team is made up of doctors, nurses, social workers and
other healthcare professionals. The team members:
•
Check each participant’s health at the beginning of the trial
•
Give specific instructions for taking part in the trial
•
Monitor each participant’s health throughout the trial
•
In some cases, follow up with patients after the trial is over
Your regular doctor or healthcare provider coordinates with the
research team to ensure that other ongoing drugs or treatments you’re
receiving won’t interfere with the study treatment.
Source: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society;
Questions To Ask Your Healthcare Provider
• Is a clinical trial right for me? What are my options?
• Where does the clinical trial “fit” into the standard skin-directed and
systemic therapies?
• Will my healthcare provider team be directly involved in the care
during the clinical trial period?
• Will there be an opportunity to continue clinical trial agents after the
study ends?
• What if I need to withdraw from the clinical trial?
• What are the requirements related to logistics, location and the visits
I will need to make?
• What are the risks and benefits of this trial?
• Are there any anticipated side effects?
• What are the costs associated with the clinical trial?
• How do I make sure my insurance covers these costs?
• Will there be any anticipated costs that my insurance will not cover?
• What kind of caregiver support will be required?
A Patient’s Guide to Understanding
Cutaneous Lymphoma
