(415) 332-4262

Clinical Trials Overview

How Do Clinical Trials Benefit Patients?

Clinical trials rely on patients who volunteer to particpate in their studies. There are several ways that a patient can benefit from a clinical trial for mesothelioma treatment, though not all benefits will apply in every case.

  • Trials are often led by top class physicians with experience with rare diseases such as malignant mesothelioma.
  • Clinical trials can be more cost-effective than standard mesothelioma treatment.
  • For some forms of mesothelioma, such as malignant pericardial mesothelioma, few other treatment options exist.
  • It is a way for patients to “give back” and help with potential new discoveries.

How Do Patients Access Clinical Trials for Mesothelioma Treatment?

Most clinical trials are looking for a specific type of patient, and some may be limited in the number of patients they can accept. Since trials rely on volunteers, researchers try to make it easy for patients to find clinical trials, including through:

  • Referrals from primary physicians and local hospitals
  • Internet searches for clinical trials, such as clinicaltrials.gov
  • Contact forms on the clinical trial researchers’ websites

Are There Risks or Drawbacks?

Patients should keep in mind that the reason for clinical trials is to test something new; although any clinical trial will have gone through several previous tests and must receive government approval, there are risks involved. 

  • There may be unexpected side effects.
  • The trial may be less effective than standard care.
  • The mesothelioma treatment may benefit some patients, but not others, especially for forms of mesothelioma that affect each victim differently, like malignant pleural mesothelioma.
  • Patients may need to undergo more tests or doctor’s visits than with standard care.

For more information, read Risks of Clinical Trials.

What Are the Costs?

Since clinical trials are new methods of mesothelioma treatment, medical insurance may cover only a portion of the cost. Insurers will usually review the clinical trial documents before making a decision on coverage. Sometimes, the study will cover all or a part of the costs associated with trial treatment. Patients should ask the trial researchers and their medical insurer what costs will be covered.  Part of pursuing a mesothelioma lawsuit is with the purpose of getting medical bills and costs of treatment covered by the asbestos manufacturers who are responsible for your illness.  Mesothelioma settlements will not ony cover the cost of treatment but ensure financial security for your family in the future.

Clinical trials offer patients a way to test new mesothelioma treatments that may be more beneficial than standard treatments for malignant pleural mesothelioma, malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, and malignant pericardial mesothelioma.

Since there is no cure for mesothelioma, many clinical trials are conducted for these forms of asbestos cancer as doctors try to find more effective options. Mesothelioma victims should learn as much as possible about their disease and clinical trials before making a mesothelioma treatment decision. The mesothelioma law firm of Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason can help find the right clinical trial as well as get you significant compensation that would cover all forms of treatment and home care. Contact us today at 415-332-4262 to see how we can help you and your family.