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CyberKnife research &clinical trials
Medical researchers throughout the world are making ground-breaking discoveries and creating new and exciting therapies every day. The clinical trial phase of a research project is an important step along the long and complex pathway researchers must take as they search for new ways to treat - and cure - diseases. Following patients in a carefully monitored clinical setting is vital to translating research into reality.
Current ongoing research studies and clinical trials
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Prostate Cancer
"Prospective Evaluation of CyberKnife Radiosurgery of Low and Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer: Homogeneous Dose Distribution"
The Seattle CyberKnife Center is the lead site in this national clinical research trial which is evaluating the effectiveness of CyberKnife for low and intermediate risk prostate cancer. The trial will enroll 319 patients at 20 sites nationwide by early 2010. Dr. Robert Meier is the principal investigator.
Contact us at 206-320-7130 to learn more about this clinical trial
 Learn more about CyberKnife treatment for prostate cancer
Learn more about what clinical trials are
"MRI-Planned Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Organ-Confined Prostate Cancer: Feasibility and Early Results"
Dr. Robert Meier was invited to present a poster at the 51st annual meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology.
 View Dr.Meier's presentation
"Robotic Radiosurgery for Organ-Confined Prostate Cancer: Early Toxicity Outcomes from a Multi-institutional Trial"
Dr. Robert Meier was invited to give a presentatino at the the American Urologic Association meeting.
View Dr.Meier's presentation
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Articles
What are clinical trials?
A clinical trial is a carefully designed experiment to:
- Test new approaches to preventing cancer
- Detect various types of cancer in very early stages
- Find new treatments or more effective combinations of treatments
- Improve the quality of life for cancer patients
Physicians along with their specially trained reserach team follow a precise and detailed plan called the protocol and carefully monitor all who volunteer to participate in a clinicla trial.
Many of today's standard treatments are based on previous clinical trial study results. Through your participqation in clinical trials you help others and improve cancer treatment and help other in the future.
Patra Grevstad, RN, at Swedish Cancer Institute presents an important overview of clinical trials for cancer patients.
Podcast Keynotes
How Do I Gain Access to a Trial?
Talk with your doctor to see if a trial is right for you.
What Determines if I Can Participate in a Trial?
Everyone who participates in a trial has to meet the eligibility criteria. It is important for all study participants to have the same characteristics (such as the same type of cancer, for example).
Should I Participate if I am Eligible?
When considering a study, you will go through an informed consent process. This process ensures that you fully understand the procedures of the study. You and your medical team
will make this decision together.
What Happens if I Join a Trial?
- You will have regular visits with your physician
- You will be asked to adhere to the study treatment calendar
- You may be asked to complete forms about how you are doing
- You may have additional monitoring tests such as X-rays to evaluate your response to
treatment
- You will be asked to share your medicalhistory
- You will be carefully monitored for your safety and to avoid harmful side effects
What Questions Should I Ask When Considering a Trial?
- What is the purpose of the study?
- What types of tests will I have to take?
- What can I expect?
- What are the risks and side effects?
- What is the schedule?
- How will my life be affected?
- How long will I participate?
- What are the financial aspects?
- How will I know the treatment is working?<
- Will study results be provided?
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