Executive Summary
Clinical trials are considered a better method for treating brainstem glioma in children. The evaluation of new chemotherapy and radiation therapy drugs is integrated into childhood brainstem glioma clinical trials. Clinical trials are used for all types and stages of brainstem glioma in children. More than 60% of children with brain stem glioma are treated as part of clinical trials for brain stem glioma. New treatments with better efficacy and safety are the outcome of a clinical trial. The evaluation of further chemotherapy and radiotherapy drugs is done in a clinical trial for effective cancer treatment.
Many individuals participate in clinical trials, aiming to be one of the first to receive treatment before being released to the public. The results of the clinical trials have been effective in reducing the symptoms and side effects during the treatment. Volunteers or patients willing to participate in the clinical trials should communicate with their doctor and healthcare team and research expertise to make well decided informed choices regarding participating in the problem while signing informed consent. Clinical trials are also thoroughly regulated by experts who watch each study for issues. Insurance and the costs of clinical trials for brain stem glioma change depending on location and research. Some of the expenses from participating in the clinical trial are reimbursed in several programs.
Clinical Trials if Brain Stem Glioma- Childhood
More than 60% of children with brain stem glioma are treated as part of Clinical trials for Brain Stem Glioma 1. On the path to finding different ways to treat cancer, various research and problems have been carried out to find safe and effective treatments other than the standard ones. Every drug that is used now was once tested in clinical trials.
Clinical trials for Brain Stem Glioma are used for all stages and types of brain stem glioma. The clinical studies mainly focus on finding safe, effective and better approaches for treatment or diagnostic procedures. They evaluate new chemotherapy or radiotherapy drugs for better treatment of cancer 2.
Taking part in clinical trials can benefit people by receiving treatment before it is available to the public. As the coin has two sides, there are some risks with the clinical trials, including its side effects and the possibility of new clinical trials not working. Clinical trials are also conducted on drugs and other therapies that can relieve the symptoms and side effects of treatments like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc. People are strongly encouraged to talk with their health care team about the pros and cons of joining a specific study.
Also Read: Integrative cancer treatment
Participating in clinical trials can have many reasons. For some people, taking part in a clinical trial is the only left out the option to receive the best treatment for the type of cancer. Because standard treatments are not perfect, people are willing to face the uncertainty and challenges of a clinical trial to seek a better result.
Cost and Eligibility
Other people volunteer for clinical trials because they know these studies can treat brain stem glioma. Even if they are not benefited directly from the clinical trial, their participation may help future children with brain stem glioma.
Insurance and the costs of clinical trials change depending upon location and study. Some of the expenses from participating in the clinical trial are reimbursed in several programs.
Clinical trials also have specific “eligibility criteria” rules that help the research and keep patients safe. You and your research team carefully review these criteria together. People participating in a clinical trial can stop participating for any medical or personal reasons. The reasons may include that the new treatment is not working or it has some severe side effects. Experts keep an eye on clinical trials for any problems with each study.
References
- 1.Hargrave D, Bartels U, Bouffet E. Diffuse brainstem glioma in children: critical review of clinical trials. The Lancet Oncology. Published online March 2006:241-248. doi:10.1016/s1470-2045(06)70615-5
- 2.Green AL, Kieran MW. Pediatric Brainstem Gliomas: New Understanding Leads to Potential New Treatments for Two Very Different Tumors. Curr Oncol Rep. Published online February 22, 2015. doi:10.1007/s11912-014-0436-7
