fc1956
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Hello. A friend of mine has been diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. Now, after her surgery, her doctors are suggesting that in addition to her standard treatment, she should also participate in a clinicla trial. The cancer has spread to 7 lymph nodes. Does anyone have experience with clinical trials, esp. those related ot cancer? She is considering one of them, but also doesn't exactly like the idea of being a guinea pig. Standard chemo treatment is difficult enough already. The standard treatment consists of doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide and docetaxel. The clinical test is divided into three groups. The first group receives the standard treatment listed above. The second group receives paclitaxel along with the standard treament. The third group receives paclitaxel and gemcitabine, along with the standard treament. The first group [standard treatment only] is administered treatment once every three weeks, for a total of six visits over an eighteen week period. The second group receives their treatment once every two weeks, for a total of four visits. However, the dosages administered are higher than the standard treatment. Then, the paclitaxel [175 mg/m2] is given for four additional visits, once every two weeks. The third group receives their treatment just as the second group, but with the addition of gemcitabine. Then, the paclitaxel and gemcitabine is given for four additional visits, once every two weeks. Thanks for your help,
Frank
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gdpawel
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You have to wonder about what the study addresses. Published clinical trials enroll the "best" patients. What really happens when less than the best patients are enrolled? With respect to toxicity and efficacy, most studies purport to show a benefit of one form of chemotherapy versus another that show really minuscule benefits. For instance, A/C + Taxol versus A/C alone required a randomized trial in thousands of patients to show a minuscule improvement. If the "real world" side effects are so markedly greater than reported in the clinical trials, it could well be that in the "real world" the putatively improved chemotherapy is actually worse than the "old fashion" chemotherapy, if, as in the case of A/C + Taxol, the putatively improved chemotherapy is more toxic, more than canceling out the putative benefits seen in the "non-real world" setting.Chemotherapy Complications Greater Than Previously Estimated http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=49426
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