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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a clinical trial?
Researchers are looking for treatment methods that are more effective against brain tumors and have fewer side effects. When laboratory research shows that a new method has promise, doctors use it to treat cancer patients in clinical trials. These trials are designed to answer scientific questions and to find out whether the new approach is both safe and effective. Patients who take part in clinical trials make an important contribution to medical science and may have the first chance to benefit from improved treatment methods. Many clinical trials of new treatments for brain tumors are under way. Doctors are studying new types and schedules of radiation therapy, new anticancer drugs, new drug combinations, combinations of chemotherapy and radiation, antiangiogenic therapy, gene therapy and immunotherapy.
Patients interested in taking part in a clinical trial should discuss this option with their doctor. They may want to read Taking Part in Clinical Trials: What Cancer Patients Need To Know an NCI booklet that explains some of the possible benefits and risks of treatment studies. One way to learn about clinical trials is through PDQ, a computerized resource developed by the National Cancer Institute. This resource contains information about cancer treatment and about clinical trials in progress all over the country. The Cancer Information Service can provide PDQ information to patients and the public.
To find out more about clinical trials, please go to:
NCI
Cancer.gov: Understanding Clinical Trials
NCI
Cancer.gov: Clinical Trials
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What types of clinical treatments are offered at the Neuro-Oncology Branch?
There are usually several active clinical treatment protocols/trials for adults
and children with brain tumors. Clinical protocols may be available for newly
diagnosed patients and those with recurrent disease. All of our clinical protocols
offer patients state-of-the-art treatment; these may include surgery, radiation,
Phase I or II chemotherapy studies, gene therapy, antiangiogenic therapy or
immunotherapy.
To find out which clinical trials are currently available at our branch, please
click here or contact
us at (301) 402-6298.
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Are the clinical treatments experimental therapies?
New agents are not offered to patients for whom there are a known effective
therapy. The major advantage for patients treated at the National Cancer Institute
is that patients can be assured of receiving the most up-to-date treatment for
their tumors. The testing of new drugs is reserved only for those patients whose
disease does not have an effective standard treatment and/or has not responded
to standard treatment and who voluntarily express an interest in a new approach.
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Who is eligible for a clinical trial?
Children, teenagers, and adults with newly diagnosed or recurrent primary or metastatic tumors of the central nervous system who meet the eligibility criteria of the specific protocol.
To find out the specific eligibility requirements for a clinical trial we offer, please see the Neuro-Oncology Branch's Clinical Trials page.
If you have any questions as to whether you are eligible for a clinical trial, please feel free to contact us at (301) 402-6298.
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What is the referring physician's role?
Every effort is made to keep your physician fully informed and involved in the care of a patient. The patient's Neuro-Oncology Branch physician or Nurse Practitioner will contact the physician's staff to coordinate treatment and follow up plans.
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What is needed for an initial evaluation?
In general, we require a complete medical summary, copies of relevant prior radiographic scans (MRI, CT or PET), pathology report, and any material that may be valuable in the evaluation process. What is required for any individual patient, however, is decided on a case-by-case basis. Please contact our office for details.
Neuro-Oncology Branch
National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health
Bloch Building, #82
9030 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone: (301) 402-6298
Fax: (301) 480-2246
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Does the Neuro-Oncology Branch provide second opinions?
Yes. The Neuro-Oncology Branch offers a second opinion resource for physicians, patients and families who are interested in this service. We can either evaluate the patient in person or review the patient's medical history and MRI scans. In order for us to give a patient a second opinion, we will need specific medical information from your medical records.
To find out more about second opinion, and what information we will need from you, please contact us at (301) 402-6298.
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What does the treatment cost? How much is a consultation?
Consultations are free of charge and once the patient is accepted on a research protocol, medical treatments, diagnostic tests and other ancillary services performed at the NIH Clinical Center are free of charge to the patient. The NIH does not cover the expenses for services delivered at other facilities.
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What about transportation to and from the Clinical Center?
Patients are expected to provide their own transportation to the Clinical Center for the initial visit. If enrolled on a clinical trial, subsequent travel costs will be reimbursed if the patient lives more than 115 miles from the Clinical Center.
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