Bethke Cancer Center
Cancer Clinical Trials at
Emerson Hospital
Clinical trials are research studies involving people. They are the last step in a very long process that begins with research in a laboratory and animal testing. Many of the treatments used today are the result of information learned from past clinical trials.
In cancer research, clinical trials are undertaken to answer questions about new ways to:
- Treat cancer
- Find and diagnose cancer
- Prevent cancer
- Manage the symptoms of cancer or its treatment
Over the past 15 years, clinical trials have been an important part of the comprehensive cancer program at Emerson Hospital’s Bethke Cancer Center. Now, we are very pleased to announce that Emerson Hospital, working jointly with Commonwealth Hematology-Oncology P.C., is involved in an innovative program sponsored by the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU). The CTSU Independent Clinical Research Site (CICRS) initiative allows Emerson Hospital patients access to a growing number of clinical trial options right here in Concord.
In addition, Emerson Hospital, in conjunction with Massachusetts General Hospital Radiation Oncology, offers radiation-based clinical trials through the RTOG (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group).
These relationships make it possible for us to offer to our community some of the latest investigational treatments in breast, lung, colon and other cancers.
There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to taking part in a clinical trial; the decision is a very personal one and patients should talk to their physician and consider the risks and benefits of a study before agreeing to participate.
For frequently asked questions about clinical trials, please click on the following link: www.rtog.org/faqpatient.html
For more information on open clinical trials that are being offered at Emerson Hospital, please click here.
