Factors to Consider When Participating in a Mesothelioma Drug Trial

Clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatments give new hope for discovering a cure for a very deadly cancer. Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of asbestos-related cancer with a very high mortality rate.  Most "Meso" victims die within 1-2 years after they are diagnosed.  Patients involved in mesothelioma clinical trials hope to help find better and more efficient ways of treating the disease.  After an initial diagnosis of mesothelioma, a consultation with a physician about available clinical trials should be considered.

A clinical trial allows for a new treatment to be tested before being approved for use by the public. Many drugs and therapies that later become standard have gone through an extensive period of testing with clinical trials before being approved for general use.

Before you choose to become a part of a clinical trial, please consider the following:

1- The distance to the trial center and any related financial costs of taking part

Clinical trials often take place in hospitals in major cities.  It is important to know how often participants will need to see the physicians coordinating the trials and how long each visit will take, and the expenses associated.

2- Selection criteria

The criteria for selection for a particular drug trial varies. 

3- The risk factor

Many times, a clinical trial patient does not choose which treatment they receive, nor do they even know what treatment is being administered.  There is no guarantee that a participant will receive the experimental treatment.  Furthermore, the treatments one receives might have unknown side effects that will only show up when they are used by human beings.

4- General patient health

A patient’s general health is a major consideration.  Patients with other pre-existing medical disease will not be allowed to participate in most clinical trials as well as patients on other major medications.