Participate in a Study

Liver cancer is often hard to control with current treatments; therefore, doctors recommend patients with liver cancer consider taking part in a clinical trial.

Patients who participate in clinical trials have the first chance to benefit from treatments that have shown promise in earlier research. They also make an important contribution to medical science by helping doctors learn more about the disease.

Clinical trials come in four phases. In Phase I trials, investigators try to determine the most effective and safe dosage. In Phase II trials, which involve a larger group of patients, researchers hope to build on what they learned in the first phase by trying to establish response rates and response durations, and by trying to determine what side effects will occur. In Phase III trials, researchers compare the experimental treatment with the standard treatment. In Phase IV trials, researchers monitor the effects of long-term usage.

For more information about clinical studies, see the Patient Guide to Clinical Trials which includes Myths vs Facts. 

Liver Cancer Clinical Trials at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.