Important Questions

Great answer! here is a link to another list...http://www.roswellpark.org/clinical-trials/possible-questions
Some important questions you should consider are:

Make sure you understand your options as well as the risks and benefits.
What are the benefits for me?
What are the risks for me?
What other options do I have in terms of other studies or standard of care?
How do the risks and benefits compare to the other options?
What were the previous results from this treatment or similar treatments?
Why do researchers believe this new treatment is an improvement?

Do your best to understand the details of the study. The protocol description will answer many of these questions.
What is the purpose of the study?
How experienced is the team running the trial?
What are the patient eligibility criteria?
Is the study controlled or uncontrolled?
Is the study randomized and blinded?
What kinds of tests and experimental treatments are involved?
What is the duration and types of follow-up tests and treatments?
If the results are positive, will I be a able to continue with the treatment?
Who is responsible for complications and side effects from the trial?

Also consider the practical effects on your daily life and quality of life.
Is travel required?
How long will the trial last?
Will hospitalization be required?
Who will pay for the treatments?
Will I be reimbursed for other expenses?
What type of follow up care is part of this study?
How will I know that the experimental treatment is working?
Will results of the trials be provided to me?
Who will be in charge of my care?

I would also recommend that you meet the team in charge of the clinical trial to determine if you are comfortable working with them.

Great tips. Another thing I've learned are many times doctors aren't familiar or don't necessarily agree with all of the side effects listed on official brand RX website.

Its important to document any side effects you have to medications/treatments and make your doctor aware. Not disclosing something to your doctor can be harmful.

Healthcare treatment data mining sites like Cure Together http://curetogether.com/ can give you insight on success of treatments categorized by disease and patient response/outcome to treatments.

You might also referr to reliable sites like http://health.nih.gov for helpful literature.

I had a doctor wanted to prescribe a medication that is now in litigation for sever side effects. Glad I decided against it and found another option that worked well for me with no side effects. You can also referr to FDA medication guidelines found on official pharma rx site. (e.g. Levaquin http://www.levaquin.com/sites/default/files/pdf/Levaquin%20Med%20Guide.pdf#zoom=100) Learning more about the unintended effects of a treatment can help you decide whether you want to start or continue that treatment. Knowing what to expect can help you to cope with minor side effects and reduce the potential for dangerous ones to harm you. Here are some questions to ask your doctor about side effects:

• What are the common side effects of this treatment?
• Are there any serious side effects that I should be aware of?
• When would any side effects start? Are they likely to get stronger or weaker over time?
• Can I do anything to prevent or manage these side effects?
• Are there other treatments I can take that don’t carry these side effects?
• How might this treatment interact with any of my other treatments?
• Do I need any tests to detect “silent” side effects?
• Who should I tell if I experience side effects?

What usually happens when someone has this problem?

If I wait, will my condition be harder to treat later?

What kinds of tests or monitoring do you recommend while I am waiting?

Is there anything I can do to slow or stop the course of this health problem?

For more information about watchful waiting, see: preparedpatientforum.org: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue5.cfm
What usually happens when someone has this problem?

If I wait, will my condition be harder to treat later?

What kinds of tests or monitoring do you recommend while I am waiting?

Is there anything I can do to slow or stop the course of this health problem?

For more information about watchful waiting, see: preparedpatientforum.org: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue5.cfm

How many treatments of chemotherapy will I get?
How long is each treatment?
How long between treatments?
What is the total duration of the treatments?
What types of chemotherapy will I get?
How will these drugs be given? (oral, intravenous, subcutaneous, or intravenous piggyback)
Where do I go for the treatment?
Should someone drive me to and from treatments?
What side effects can I expect right away?
What side effects can I expect later?
How serious are these side effects?
How long will the side effects last?
Will all the side effects go away when treatment is over?
What can I do to manage or ease these side effects?
When should I call my medical team about these side effects? How many treatments of chemotherapy will I get?
How long is each treatment?
How long between treatments?
What is the total duration of the treatments?
What types of chemotherapy will I get?
How will these drugs be given? (oral, intravenous, subcutaneous, or intravenous piggyback)
Where do I go for the treatment?
Should someone drive me to and from treatments?
What side effects can I expect right away?
What side effects can I expect later?
How serious are these side effects?
How long will the side effects last?
Will all the side effects go away when treatment is over?
What can I do to manage or ease these side effects?
When should I call my medical team about these side effects?