Many patients with prostate cancer take part in treatment studies called clinical trials. Patients who take part in these studies have the first chance to benefit from treatments that have shown promise in earlier research. They also make an important contribution to medical science.
Doctors conduct clinical trials to learn about the effectiveness and side effects of new treatments.
In some clinical trials, all patients receive the new treatment. Many clinical trials of treatments for prostate cancer are under way. For example, researchers are comparing treatment against careful observation of men with early stage prostate cancer. The results of this work will help doctors to know whether to treat early stage prostate cancer immediately or only later on, if symptoms occur. Doctors are studying new ways of using radiation therapy and hormone therapy.