Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Clinical Trials

Here are some questions to ask your doctor to help you determine if a clinical trial is right for you.

• What is the purpose of the trial?
• What phase is the clinical trial?
• Why would the clinical trial treatment be better than treatment being used now?
• How long do I have to decide whether I want to participate in a clinical trial?
• How does the clinical trial treatment work to treat my brain or spine tumor?
• What are the criteria used to determine if I am eligible for the trial?
• How do you evaluate if the treatment is working?
• How often would I need to have imaging or MRIs?
• How long is the treatment given?
• How will I be informed of the results?
• If the treatment isn’t work, can I stop the trial?
• Can I stop participating in the trial at any point I choose?
• What procedures are required as part of the clinical trial?
• If the clinical trial is a drug therapy, how is the drug given (pills or IV)?
• How often do I have to be seen in the clinic or hospital as part of the trial?
• Can I be part of the clinical trial at a location closer to my home?
• What are the known side effects?
• How are side effects managed?
• Are there other health risks with participating in the trial?
• How could the trial affect my daily life?
• What are the costs to me for participating on this trial?

We encourage you to print these questions and bring them with you to your appointment.