Clinical trials (sometimes called studies or research) test new cancer treatments with the goal of finding better ways to treat cancer and help patients.  Clinical trials test new drugs, new approaches to surgery or radiation therapy, new combinations of treatments, or new methods such as gene therapy.  In most cases, trial therapies show promise to improve current treatments.

Cancer clinical trials have brought enormous advances in the areas of cancer prevention, treatment and diagnosis..  If a new treatment proves effective in a study, it may become a standard treatment that can help many patients.  Many of today's most effective treatments are based on studies.  Patients who participate may be helped personally by the treatment(s) they receive.

Michigan Hematology Oncology is dedicated to finding new and more effective treatments for cancer through clinical research.  Our patients can benefit from clinical trials of state of the art cancer treatments.   MHO participates in a variety of clinical trials offered through the National Cancer Institute, the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG), the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) and pharmaceutical companies. 

The decision to take part in a cancer research study belongs to you, the cancer patient. The decision you make will result from a combination of diverse reasons based on both scientific evidence and on your personal attitudes about health and disease.  The physicians at Michigan Hematology Oncology will assist you in making this decision and guide you through each step of the study process.