The number of patients entered into a
study. Each clinical trial requires a specific number of participants in order
to provide adequate information for analysis to answer the specific questions
asked in the study.
A National Cancer Institute
(NCI)-funded cancer cooperative group. ACOSOG stands for American College of
Surgeons Oncology Group.
A National Cancer Institute
(NCI)-funded cancer cooperative group. ACRIN stands for American College of
Radiology Imaging.
In cancer prevention clinical trials, a
study that focuses on finding out whether actions people take can prevent
cancer.
Another treatment used together with
the primary treatment. Its purpose is to assist the primary treatment.
Treatment given after the primary
treatment to increase the chances of a cure. Adjuvant therapy may include
chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or biological therapy.
An unwanted side effect of treatment.
In cancer prevention clinical trials, a
study that tests whether taking certain medicines, vitamins, minerals, or food
supplements can prevent cancer. Also called chemoprevention study.
A system developed by the American
Joint Committee on Cancer for describing the extent of cancer in a patient’s
body. The descriptions include TNM: T describes the size of the tumor and if it
has invaded nearby tissue, N describes any lymph nodes that are involved, and M
describes metastasis (spread of cancer from one body part to another).
A process in which anything complex is
separated into simple or less complex parts. In clinical trials, analysis
typically refers to the review and interpretation of data collected during the
study.
An incomplete description of the
medical and treatment history of one or more patients. Anecdotal reports may be
published in places other than peer-reviewed, scientific journals.
An animal with a disease either the
same as or like a disease in humans. Animal models are used to study the
development and progression of diseases and to test new treatments before they
are given to humans. Animals with transplanted human cancers or other tissues
are called xenograft models.
Prevention of the growth of new blood
vessels.
A specific therapy program under study,
often used interchangeably with treatment program, treatment regimen, treatment
arm, or treatment. Used when referring to a particular treatment regimen in a
study that has more than one regimen.
Treatment with an antibody, a substance
that can directly kill specific tumor cells or stimulate the immune system to
kill tumor cells.
Treatment with drugs, surgery, or
radiation in order to block the production or action of a hormone. Antihormone
therapy may be used in cancer treatment because certain hormones are able to
stimulate the growth of some types of tumors.
A substance that blocks the formation
of neoplasms (growths that may become cancerous).
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A tumor that is not cancerous. Benign
tumors do not spread to tissues around them or to other parts of the body. Many
can be surgically removed.
In medicine, treatment that experts
agree is appropriate, accepted, and widely used. Healthcare providers are
obligated to provide patients with the best practice. Also called standard
therapy or standard of care.
In a clinical trial, a flaw in the
study design or method of collecting and/or interpreting information. Biases
can lead to incorrect conclusions about what the study or trial showed.
Clinical trials use many methods to avoid bias.
A type of study in which the patients
(single-blinded) or the patients and their doctors (double-blinded) do not know
which drug or treatment is being given. The opposite of a blinded study is an
open label study.
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A National Cancer Institute
(NCI)-funded cancer cooperative group. CALGB stands for Cancer and Leukemia
Group B.
A term for diseases in which abnormal
cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can
spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body.
A slow-growing type of tumor usually
found in the gastrointestinal system (most often in the appendix), and
sometimes in the lungs or other sites. Carcinoid tumors may spread to the liver
or other sites in the body, and they may secrete substances such as serotonin
or prostaglandins.
Cancer that involves only the cells in
which it began and that has not spread to nearby tissues.
A detailed report of the diagnosis,
treatment, and follow-up of an individual patient. Case reports also contain
some demographic information about the patient (for example, age, gender,
ethnic origin).
A group or series of case reports
involving patients who were given similar treatment. Reports of case series
usually contain detailed information about the individual patients. This
includes demographic information (for example, age, gender, ethnic origin) and
information on diagnosis, treatment, response to treatment, and follow-up after
treatment.
A study that compares two groups of
people: those with the disease or condition under study (cases) and a very
similar group of people who do not have the disease or condition (controls).
Researchers study the medical and lifestyle histories of the people in each
group to learn what factors may be associated with the disease or condition.
Also called a retrospective study.
The use of drugs, vitamins, or other
agents to reduce the risk of, or delay the development or recurrence of,
cancer.
In cancer prevention clinical trials,
studies test whether taking certain medicines, vitamins, minerals, or food
supplements can prevent cancer. Also called agent studies.
The treatment of disease, such as
cancer, by drugs.
Clinical Practice Guidelines
Guidelines developed to help healthcare
professionals and patients make decisions about screening, prevention, or
treatment of a specific health condition.
The failure of a cancer to shrink after
treatment.
A type of research study that uses
volunteers to test new methods of prevention, screening, diagnosis, or
treatment of a disease. The trial may be carried out in a clinic or other
medical facility. Also called a clinical trial.
A type of research study that uses
volunteers to test new methods of prevention, screening, diagnosis, or
treatment of a disease. The trial may be carried out in a clinic or other
medical facility. Also called a clinical study.
A National Cancer Institute
(NCI)-funded cancer cooperative group. COG stands for Children’s Oncology
Group.
A research study that compares a
particular outcome (such as lung cancer) in groups of individuals who are alike
in many ways but differ by a certain characteristic (for example, female nurses
who smoke compared with those who do not smoke).
Care given to improve the quality of
life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease. The goal of
comfort care is to prevent or treat as early as possible the symptoms of the
disease, side effects caused by treatment of the disease, and psychological,
social, and spiritual problems related to the disease or its treatment. Also
called palliative care, supportive care, and symptom management.
A way to provide an investigational
therapy to a patient who is not eligible to receive that therapy in a clinical
trial, but who has a serious or life-threatening illness for which other
treatments are not available. Also called expanded access trial.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Forms of treatment that are used in
addition to (complementary) or instead of (alternative) standard treatments.
These practices generally are not considered standard medical approaches. CAM
may include dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations,
special teas, acupuncture, massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing,
and meditation.
The disappearance of all signs of
cancer in response to treatment. This does not always mean the cancer has been
cured. Also called a complete response.
The disappearance of all signs of
cancer in response to treatment. This does not always mean the cancer has been
cured. Also called a complete remission.
A type of high-dose chemotherapy often
given as the second phase (after induction therapy) of a cancer treatment
regimen for leukemia. Also called intensification therapy.
In a clinical trial, the group that
does not receive the new treatment being studied. This group is compared to the
group that receives the new treatment, to see if the new treatment works.
An experiment or clinical trial that
includes a comparison (control) group.
A currently accepted and widely used
treatment for a certain type of disease, based on the results of past research.
Also called conventional treatment.
A currently accepted and widely used
treatment for a certain type of disease, based on the results of past research.
Also called conventional therapy.
A group of physicians, hospitals, or
both formed to treat a large number of persons in the same way so that a new
treatment can be evaluated quickly. Clinical trials of new cancer treatments
often require many more people than a single physician or hospital can care
for.
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Data Safety and Monitoring Committee
An impartial group that oversees a
clinical trial and reviews the results to see if they are acceptable. This
group determines if the trial should be changed or closed.
The process of identifying a disease by
its characteristic signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings. Plural: diagnoses.
A research study that evaluates methods
of detecting disease.
Cancer that continues to grow or
spread.
Length of time after treatment during
which no cancer is found. Can be reported for an individual patient or for a
study population.
Disease-specific Survival
The percentage of subjects in a study
who have survived a particular disease for a defined period of time. Usually
reported as time since diagnosis or treatment. In calculating this percentage,
only deaths from the disease being studied are counted. Subjects who died from
some other cause are not included in the calculation.
Refers to cancer that has spread from
the original (primary) tumor to distant organs or distant lymph nodes.
The amount of medicine taken, or
radiation given, at one time.
A clinical trial in which neither the
medical staff nor the person knows which of several possible therapies the
person is receiving.
Any substance, other than food, that is
used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal
condition. Also refers to a substance that alters mood or body function, or
that can be habit-forming or addictive, especially a narcotic.
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A National Cancer Institute
(NCI)-funded cancer cooperative group. ECOG stands for Eastern Cooperative
Oncology Group.
Effectiveness. In medicine, the ability
of an intervention (for example, a drug or surgery) to produce the desired
beneficial effect.
In clinical trials, requirements that
must be met for an individual to be included in a study. These requirements
help make sure that patients in a trial are similar to each other in terms of
specific factors such as age, type and stage of cancer, general health, and
previous treatment. When all participants meet the same eligibility criteria,
it gives researchers greater confidence that results of the study are caused by
the intervention being tested and not by other factors.
In clinical trials, an event or outcome
that can be measured objectively to determine whether the intervention being
studied is beneficial. The endpoints of a clinical trial are usually included
in the study objectives. Some examples of endpoints are survival, improvements
in quality of life, relief of symptoms, and disappearance of the tumor.
Disease that cannot be measured
directly by the size of the tumor but can be evaluated by other methods
specific to a particular clinical trial.
Patients whose response to a treatment
can be measured because enough information has been collected.
In clinical trials, refers to a drug
(including a new drug, dose, combination, or route of administration) or
procedure that has undergone basic laboratory testing and received approval
from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be tested in human subjects.
A drug or procedure may be approved by the FDA for use in one disease or
condition, but be considered experimental in other diseases or conditions. Also
called investigational.
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The functional and physical unit of
heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and most
genes contain the information for making a specific protein.
Treatment that alters a gene. In
studies of gene therapy for cancer, researchers are trying to improve the
body’s natural ability to fight the disease or to make the cancer cells more
sensitive to other kinds of therapy.
Analyzing DNA to look for a genetic
alteration that may indicate an increased risk for developing a specific
disease or disorder.
A National Cancer Institute
(NCI)-funded cancer cooperative group. GOG stands for Gynecologic Oncology
Group.
The grade of a tumor depends on how
abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope and how quickly the tumor is
likely to grow and spread. Grading systems are different for each type of
cancer.
A system for classifying cancer cells
in terms of how abnormal they appear when examined under a microscope. The
objective of a grading system is to provide information about the probable
growth rate of the tumor and its tendency to spread. The systems used to grade
tumors vary with each type of cancer. Grading plays a role in treatment
decisions.
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The examination of tissue specimens
under a microscope.
The study of tissues and cells under a
microscope.
Treatment that adds, blocks or removes
hormones. For certain conditions (such as diabetes or menopause), hormones are
given to adjust low hormone levels. To slow or stop the growth of certain
cancers (such as prostate and breast cancer), synthetic hormones or other drugs
may be given to block the body’s natural hormones. Sometimes surgery is needed
to remove the gland that makes hormones. Also called hormonal therapy, hormone
treatment, or endocrine therapy.
A way of giving radiation therapy in
smaller-than-usual doses two or three times a day instead of once a day.
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Suppression of the body’s immune system
and its ability to fight infections or disease. Immunosuppression may be
deliberately induced with drugs, as in preparation for bone marrow or other
organ transplantation to prevent rejection of the donor tissue. It may also
result from certain diseases such as AIDS or lymphoma or from anticancer drugs.
Treatment to stimulate or restore the
ability of the immune system to fight infections and other diseases. Also used
to lessen side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments. Also known
as biological therapy, biotherapy, or biological response modifier (BRM)
therapy.
Treatment designed to be used as a
first step toward shrinking the cancer and in evaluating response to drugs and
other agents. Induction therapy is followed by additional therapy to eliminate
whatever cancer remains.
A process in which a person learns key
facts about a clinical trial, including potential risks and benefits, before
deciding whether or not to participate in a study. Informed consent continues
throughout the trial.
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
A group of scientists, doctors, clergy,
and consumers at each healthcare facility that participates in a clinical
trial. IRBs are designed to protect study participants. They review and must
approve the action plan for every clinical trial. They check to see that the
trial does not involve undue risks and includes safeguards for patients.
A collaboration of cooperative groups
in order to conduct clinical trials.
In clinical trials, refers to a drug
(including a new drug, dose, combination, or route of administration) or
procedure that has undergone basic laboratory testing and received approval
from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be tested in human subjects.
A drug or procedure may be approved by the FDA for use in one disease or
condition, but be considered investigational in other diseases or conditions.
Also called experimental.
A researcher in a clinical trial or
clinical study.
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Research done in a laboratory. These
studies may use test tubes or animals to find out if a drug, procedure, or
treatment is likely to be useful. Laboratory studies take place before any
testing is done in humans.
A medical procedure that involves
testing a sample of blood, urine, or other substance from the body. Tests can
help determine a diagnosis, plan treatment, check to see if treatment is
working, or monitor the disease over time.
Side effects of cancer treatment that
appear months or years after treatment has ended. Late effects include physical
and mental problems and second cancers.
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Treatment that is given to help a
primary (original) treatment keep working. Maintenance therapy is often given
to help keep cancer in remission.
A cancerous tumor that can invade and
destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
Cancerous—Malignant tumors can invade
and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
The edge or border of the tissue
removed in cancer surgery. The margin is described as negative or clean when
the pathologist finds no cancer cells at the edge of the tissue, suggesting
that all of the cancer has been removed. The margin is described as positive or
involved when the pathologist finds cancer cells at the edge of the tissue,
suggesting that all of the cancer has not been removed.
A diagnostic indication that disease
may develop.
The average time patients in a clinical
study remained alive. The time is measured beginning either at diagnosis or the
start of treatment.
A tumor that can be accurately measured
in size. This information can be used to judge response to treatment.
The time from either diagnosis or
treatment at which half of the patients with a given disease are found to be,
or expected to be, still alive. In a clinical trial, median survival time is
one way to measure how effective a treatment is.
A doctor who specializes in diagnosing
and treating cancer using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and biological
therapy. A medical oncologist often is the main healthcare provider for a
person who has cancer. A medical oncologist also may coordinate treatment
provided by other specialists.
The spread of cancer from one part of
the body to another. A tumor formed by cells that have spread is called a
“metastatic tumor” or a “metastasis.” The metastatic tumor contains cells that
are like those in the original (primary) tumor. The plural form of metastasis
is metastases.
To spread from one part of the body to
another. When cancer cells metastasize and form secondary tumors, the cells in
the metastatic tumor are like those in the original (primary) tumor.
Small numbers of cancer cells that have
spread from the primary tumor to other parts of the body and are too few to be
picked up in a screening or diagnostic test.
In medicine, a term used to describe a
treatment planning approach or team that includes a number of doctors and other
healthcare professionals who are experts in different specialties
(disciplines). In cancer treatment, the primary disciplines are medical
oncology (treatment with drugs), surgical oncology (treatment with surgery),
and radiation oncology (treatment with radiation).
A condition in which bone marrow
activity is decreased, resulting in fewer red blood cells, white blood cells,
and platelets. Myelosuppression is a side effect of some cancer treatments.
When myelosuppression is severe, it is called myeloablation.
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An abnormal mass of tissue that results
from excessive cell division. Neoplasms may be benign (not cancerous), or
malignant (cancerous). Also called tumor.
A National Cancer Institute
(NCI)-funded cancer cooperative group. NSABP stands for National Surgical
Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project.
A National Cancer Institute
(NCI)-funded cancer cooperative group. NCCTG stands for North Central Cancer
Treatment Group.
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A type of study in which individuals
are observed or certain outcomes are measured. No attempt is made to affect the
outcome (for example, no treatment is given).
A doctor who specializes in treating
cancer. Some oncologists specialize in a particular type of cancer treatment.
For example, a radiation oncologist specializes in treating cancer with
radiation.
The science dealing with the properties
and features of cancer, including the causes and the disease process.
A type of study in which both the
health providers and the patients are aware of the drug or treatment being
given.
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A decrease in the size of a tumor, or
in the extent of cancer in the body, in response to treatment. Also called
partial response.
A decrease in the size of a tumor, or
in the extent of cancer in the body, in response to treatment. Also called
partial remission.
A person who helps a patient work with
others who have an effect on the patient’s health, including doctors, insurance
companies, employers, case managers, and lawyers. A patient advocate helps
resolve issues about healthcare, medical bills, and job discrimination related
to a patient’s medical condition. Cancer advocacy groups try to raise public
awareness about important cancer issues, such as the need for cancer support
services, education, and research. Such groups work to bring about change that
will help cancer patients and their families.
A hospital or institution that is participating in a particular clinical trial.
A measure of how well a patient is able
to perform ordinary tasks and carry out daily activities. Two tools commonly
used to measure performance status include the Karnofsky scale and the ECOG
scale.
The first step in testing a new
treatment in humans. These studies test the best way to give a new treatment
(for example, by mouth, intravenous infusion, or injection) and the best dose.
The dose is usually increased a little at a time in order to find the highest
dose that does not cause harmful side effects. Because little is known about
the possible risks and benefits of the treatments being tested, phase I trials
usually include only a small number of patients who have not been helped by
other treatments.
A trial to study the safety, dosage
levels, and response to a new treatment.
A study to test whether a new treatment
has an anticancer effect (for example, whether it shrinks a tumor or improves
blood test results) and whether it works against a certain type of cancer.
A trial to study response to a new
treatment and the effectiveness of the treatment compared with the standard
treatment regimen.
A study to compare the results of
people taking a new treatment with the results of people taking the standard
treatment (for example, which group has better survival rates or fewer side
effects). In most cases, studies move into phase III only after a treatment
seems to work in phases I and II. Phase III trials may include hundreds of
people.
After a treatment has been approved and
is being marketed, it is studied in a phase IV trial to evaluate side effects
that were not apparent in the phase III trial. Thousands of people are involved
in a phase IV trial.
An inactive substance or treatment that
looks the same as, and is given the same way as, an active drug or treatment
being tested. The effects of the active drug or treatment are compared to the
effects of the placebo. The use of placebos in cancer treatment studies is very
uncommon.
Refers to a clinical study in which the
control patients receive a placebo.
Research using animals to find out if a
drug, procedure, or treatment is likely to be useful. Preclinical studies take
place before any testing in humans is done.
A term used to describe a condition
that may (or is likely to) become cancer. Also called precancerous.
The main result that is measured at the
end of a study to see if a given treatment worked (eg, the number of deaths or
the difference in survival between the treatment group and the control group).
What the primary endpoint will be is decided before the study begins.
A situation or condition, or a
characteristic of a patient, that can be used to estimate the chance of
recovery from a disease or the chance of the disease recurring (coming back).
Progression-free Survival
One type of measurement that can be
used in a clinical study or trial to help determine whether a new treatment is
effective. It refers to the probability that a patient will remain alive,
without the disease getting worse.
Cancer that is increasing in scope or
severity.
In medicine, a study or clinical trial
in which participants are identified and then followed forward in time.
An action plan for a clinical trial.
The plan states what the study will do, how, and why. It explains how many
people will be in it, who is eligible to participate, what study agents or
other interventions they will be given, what tests they will receive and how
often, and what information will be gathered.
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The overall enjoyment of life. Many
clinical trials assess the effects of cancer and its treatment on the quality
of life. These studies measure aspects of an individual’s sense of well-being
and ability to carry out various tasks.
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Radiation Therapy/Radiotherapy
The use of high-energy radiation from
x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink
tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam
radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body
near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy, implant radiation, or
brachytherapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such
as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that circulates throughout the body.
Also called radiotherapy.
When referring to an experiment or
clinical trial, the process by which animal or human subjects are assigned by
chance to separate groups that compare different treatments or other
interventions. Randomization gives each participant an equal chance of being
assigned to any of the groups. It is one method used to prevent bias in
research. People are assigned by chance to either the treatment or control
group, like the flip of a coin.
Randomized Clinical Trial
A study in which the participants are
assigned by chance to separate groups that compare different treatments;
neither the researchers nor the participants can choose which group. Using
chance to assign people to groups means that the groups will be similar and
that the treatments they receive can be compared objectively. At the time of
the trial, it is not known which treatment is best. It is the patient’s choice
to be in a randomized trial.
The return of cancer, at the same site
as the original (primary) tumor or in another location, after the tumor had
disappeared.
Cancer that has not responded to
treatment.
A decrease in the size of a tumor or in
the extent of cancer in the body.
The return of signs and symptoms of
cancer after a period of improvement.
A specific measurement of survival. For cancer, the rate is calculated by
adjusting the survival rate to remove all causes of death except cancer. The
rate is determined at specific time intervals, such as two years and five years
after diagnosis.
A decrease in, or disappearance of,
signs and symptoms of cancer. In partial remission, some, but not all, signs
and symptoms of cancer have disappeared. In complete remission, all signs and
symptoms of cancer have disappeared, although cancer still may be in the body.
When the signs and symptoms of cancer go away, the disease is said to be in
remission. A remission can be temporary or permanent.
Cancer cells that remain after attempts
to remove the cancer have been made.
In medicine, an improvement related to
treatment.
The percentage of patients whose cancer
shrinks or disappears after treatment.
A study that compares two groups of people: those with the disease or condition
under study (cases) and a very similar group of people who do not have the
disease or condition (controls). Researchers study the medical and lifestyle
histories of the people in each group to learn what factors may be associated
with the disease or condition. For example, one group may have been exposed to
a particular substance that the other was not. Also called a case-control
study.
A National Cancer Institute
(NCI)-funded cancer cooperative group. RTOG stands for Radiation Therapy
Oncology Group.
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Treatment that is given after the
cancer has not responded to other treatments.
In clinical trials, the step-by-step
plan for how patients are to be treated; for example, which drugs are to be
given, the order and method by which they are to be given, the length of time
of each infusion, the amount of time between courses, and the total length of
treatment.
Treatment that is given when initial
treatment (first-line therapy) doesn’t work, or stops working.
An error in choosing the individuals or
groups to take part in a study. Ideally, the subjects in a study should be very
similar to one another and to the larger population from which they are drawn
(for example, all individuals with the same disease or condition). If there are
important differences, the results of the study may not be valid.
Problems that occur when treatment
affects healthy cells. Common side effects of standard cancer treatments are
fatigue, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, and mouth
sores. New treatments being tested may have these or other unknown side
effects.
In statistics, describes a mathematical
measure of difference between groups. The difference is said to be significant
if it is greater than what might be expected to happen by chance alone. Also
called statistically significant.
A type of clinical trial in which only
the doctor knows whether a patient is taking the standard treatment or the new
treatment being tested. This helps prevent bias in treatment studies.
Cancer that is neither decreasing nor
increasing in extent or severity.
An evaluation of the extent of the
disease. If the cancer has spread, the stage describes how far it has spread
from the original site to other parts of the body. The greater the spread of
the cancer, the higher the stage. Classifying disease based on stage at
diagnosis helps to determine appropriate treatment and prognosis.
In medicine, treatment that experts
agree is appropriate, accepted, and widely used. Healthcare providers are
obligated to provide patients with the standard of care. Also called standard
therapy or best practice.
In medicine, treatment that experts
agree is appropriate, accepted, and widely used. Healthcare providers are
obligated to provide patients with standard therapy. Also called standard of
care or best practice.
Statistically Significant
Describes a mathematical measure of
difference between groups. The difference is said to be statistically
significant if it is greater than what might be expected to happen by chance
alone. Also called significant.
An improvement that is reported by the
patient, but cannot be measured by the healthcare provider (for example, I feel
better).
In a clinical study, the evaluation of
results for some but not all of the patients who participated. The selected
patients have one or more characteristics in common, such as the same stage of
disease or the same hormone receptor status.
Care given to improve the quality of
life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease. The goal of
supportive care is to prevent or treat as early as possible the symptoms of the
disease, side effects caused by treatment of the disease, and psychological,
social, and spiritual problems related to the disease or its treatment. Also
called palliative care, comfort care, and symptom management.
The percentage of people in a study or
treatment group who are alive for a given period of time after diagnosis. This
is commonly expressed as 5-year survival.
A National Cancer Institute
(NCI)-funded cancer cooperative group. SWOG stands for Southwest Oncology
Group.
Disease that affects the whole body.
Treatment using substances that travel
through the bloodstream, reaching and affecting cells all over the body.
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A type of treatment that uses drugs or
other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells without harming
normal cells. A monoclonal antibody is a type of targeted therapy.
Disease that cannot be cured and will
cause death.
Treatment that is given when both
initial treatment (first-line therapy) and subsequent treatment (second-line
therapy) don’t work, or stop working.
The group that receives the new
treatment being tested during a study. (See Control group.)
A place where clinical trials are conducted, such as a hospital, institution or performance site.
A new and spontaneous growth of tissue
that forms an abnormal mass. Tumors can be benign or malignant.
A treatment planning approach in which
a number of doctors who are experts in different specialties (disciplines)
review and discuss the medical condition and treatment options of a patient. In
cancer treatment, a tumor board review may include that of a medical oncologist
(who provides cancer treatment with drugs), a surgical oncologist (who provides
cancer treatment with surgery), and a radiation oncologist (who provides cancer
treatment with radiation). Also called a multidisciplinary opinion.
A classification of tumor size.
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A clinical study that lacks a
comparison (ie, a control) group.
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A type of treatment that uses a
substance or group of substances to stimulate the immune system to destroy a
tumor or infectious microorganisms such as bacteria or viruses.
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Closely monitoring a patient’s
condition but withholding treatment until symptoms appear or change. Also
called observation.
Sources: National Cancer Institute, Eastern Cooperative Oncology
Group
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