Clinical Trials There is some important information you should know about clinical trials in ocular melanoma: l Trials help physicians determine which patients should receive new treatment approaches, including different drugs, targeted therapies, immunotherapies or treatment combinations, and in what order (sequence). l Trials may provide you access to therapies not yet approved by the FDA but that may be more effective. l Trials are usually (but not always) free to participate in and you may have more diagnostic tests while participating than you otherwise would have during regular treatment. Be sure you understand your health insurance policy and the coverage of the clinical trial so you are fully aware of what is covered and what is not. l Joining a clinical trial is voluntary, and you can leave a trial at any time.
Speak with a Clinical Trial Navigator about finding a clinical trial from the Melanoma Research Foundation’s Clinical Trial Finder. How can I join a clinical trial? If you’re interested in joining a clinical trial, talk with your doctor. You can also…
Learn about clinical trials in melanoma.
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Questions to ask your doctor l D o I need to have my eye removed? l W hat are the dimensions of the tumor? What does this mean for treatment options? l W ill you do a biopsy of the tumor? Why or why not? l W ill you test my tumor for genetic mutations? l D o mutations affect the risk for metastasis? l H ow will you determine if the cancer has spread?
l W hat are my treatment options and what are the differences? l S hould I get a second opinion or explore another treatment center with more experience with ocular melanoma? l W hat are the side effects of each treatment? l W ill my vision be affected? l A m I eligible for any clinical trials now or in the future?
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