Phase III

In Phase III mesothelioma clinical trials, the new cancer treatment is generally compared to a standard existing treatment. Patients are usually randomly assigned (that is, a process similar to flipping a coin is used to determine which treatment the patient receives) to receive either a standard treatment or the new treatment. During the trial, patients may or may not be told which treatment they are getting but are told what to expect and what to watch for. Occasionally, even the doctor will not know which treatment each patient is getting so that he or she can remain unbiased about how the disease is responding to the treatment. (This is uncommon in cancer clinical trials). Phase III studies are designed to ensure that any side effects that patients experience are identified treated according to local standards of care.