Salem Cancer Institute - A part of Salem Health

Types of Clinical Trials

According to the National Cancer Institute, there are different types of cancer clinical trials, including:

 

Prevention Trials

Designed to keep cancer from developing in people who have not previously had cancer.

Designed to prevent a new type of cancer from developing in people who have had cancer.

 

Early Detection Trials

Designed to find cancer, especially in the early stages.

 

Treatment Trials

Trials designed to test new therapies in people who have cancer. They are designed to answer specific questions, and evaluate the effectiveness of a new treatment or a new way of using a standard treatment.

 

Quality of Life Studies

Designed to improve comfort and quality of life for people who have cancer.

 

Genetics Studies

These studies are sometimes included in a treatment clinical trial. The genetics component of the trial may focus on how genetic makeup can affect detection, diagnosis, or response to cancer treatment.