How to Find Throat Cancer Treatment Trials

Throat cancer, also called laryngeal and pharyngeal cancer, refer to some cancers of the head and neck. A treatment trial is a research study that is done with throat cancer patients to investigate the safety and effectiveness of a new treatment.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Know that you are not alone. The National Cancer Institute estimates that over 20,000 people each year will be diagnosed with some type of throat cancer. Behaviors like alcohol and tobacco consumption and conditions like a suppressed immune system are all risk factors for the disease.
2. Ask your oncologist about which throat cancer treatment trials, if any, would be best for you. Certain patients are not prime candidates for specific trials due to other health problems or complications with a current or proposed treatment. Your oncologist can give you information about which treatment methods you might want to try.
3. Search for throat cancer treatment trials online. The National Cancer Institute Web site offers an easy-to-use search for different types of laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers (see "Resources" below). Treatment trials are separated by stages and types, so check with your oncologist before undergoing a trial.
4. Locate a clinical trial via the American Cancer Society's Clinical Trials page (see "Resources" below). This site offers a matching service for cancer patients and treatment trials.
5. Check back often as there are new clinical trials launching every day.

Tips & Warnings

• It is best to start throat cancer treatment trials when a patient is newly diagnosed and has not yet undergone treatment or after several treatment options have already been exhausted. But no matter where you are in your treatment, ask your doctor when the optimal time to try a new therapy would be. Search for trials that fit within these parameters.
• Stay away from controlled substances. Health problems linked to their consumption can affect the patient toleration and test results of throat cancer treatments. Second-hand smoke and alcoholic beverages should be avoided during throat cancer treatment trials.
• Exercise your legal rights to informed consent. Get all the information about possible risks, benefits and procedures associated with a treatment trial before consenting.
• Expect treatment trials to be physically and mentally challenging. There are no guarantees that your symptoms or diagnosis will change after completing treatment. Join a cancer support group where you can talk openly about your experiences to help you cope.