A clinical trial is a powerful research tool directed to arrive at better treatments for patients with a particular illness. A large number of patients with a similar illness are enrolled in a carefully designed, randomized study to see the benefit of a particular treatment or intervention. Many of the treatments we use today in cancer care were validated through studies like these.

The physicians at Midwest Thoracic Surgeons, PC and Beaumont's Cancer Center participate in National Clinical Trials and institutional research to advance the understanding of cancer and to improve the care of patients.

If applicable, you may be offered participation in one of these trials. This is entirely optional. Your decision regarding participation in a trial will not affect your care.

If you are a candidate, the physician will identify this at your office visit. Once this is done, a clinical research nurse will meet with you to explain the clinical trial, its goals, and obtain an informed consent, if you wish to participate

The following are some of the national groups that the Midwest Thoracic Surgeons, P.C. participate in:

- American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG)
- Southwestern Oncology Group (SWOG)
- Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG)

Current clinical studies in thoracic surgery are the following:

RTOG 0241 - Phase I Study of Irinotecan and Cisplatin in Combination with Twice Daily Thoracic Radiotherapy (45Gy) or Once Daily Thoracic Radiotherapy (70Gy) for Patients with Limited Stage Small Lung Cancer

RTOG 0214 - A Phase III Comparison of Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation Versus Observation in Patients with Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

WBH 03-057- A Single-Center Phase II Study of Carboplatin, Gemcitabine and Celecoxib in Patients with Advanced, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

CTSU S0023 - A Phase III Trial of Cisplatin / Etoposide / Radiotherapy with Consolidation Docetaxel Followed By Maintenance Therapy with ZD1839 or Placebo in Patients with Inoperable Locally Advanced Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

RTOG 0123 - A Phase II Randomized Trial with Captopril in Patients Who Have Received Radiation Therapy +/- Chemotherapy for Stage II-IIIB Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Stage I Central Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, or Limited-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer

CTSU/NCIC BR.19 - A phase III Prospective Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Antagonist, ZD1839 (Iressa) In Completely Resected Primary Stage IB,II, and IIIA Non-Small Cell Lung Cacner

ACOSOG Z0030 - Randomized Trial of Mediastinal Lymph Node Sampling versus Complete Lymphadenectomy During Pulmonary Resection in the Patient with N0 or N1 (less than hilar) Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma
(Accrual Goals Met)

ACOSOG Z0040 - A Prospective Study of the Prognostic Significance of Occult Metastases in the Patient with Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (Accrual Goals Met)

ACOSOG Z0050 - The Utility of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in Staging of Patients with Potentially Operable Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma
(Accrual Goals Met)

ACOSOG Z0060 - The Utility of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in Staging of Patients with Potentially Operable Carcinoma of the Thoracic Esophagus
(Accrual Goals Met)

DARTMOUTH D0112-A Multicenter Randomized Phase III Study of Taxotere and Carboplatin versus Taxotere and Gemcitabine in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

WBH 97-82-Treatment Planning Study to Examine the Potential Gain in High Dose Conformal Therapy of Lung and Abdominal Tumors

SWOG-E5597-Phase III Chemoprevention Trial of Selenium Supplementation in Persons With Resected Stage Ia Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Schering Plough P01901 - A Phase 3 Randomized Study of Lonafarnib in Combination with Paclitaxel and Carboplatin vs. Placebo in Combination with Paclitaxel and Carboplatin in Patients with Non-Small Lung Cancer