← Back
Research and new methods

Leaving a trial

You can leave a trial at any time without giving a reason. This should not affect the quality of your care.

Last updated: ~1 min read
A turn in the road
Figure 1.A turn in the road — Leaving a trial

01Short answer

If you want to leave, tell the trial team: stopping treatment suddenly can be dangerous, so a transition plan is needed. Your doctor will move you to standard treatment or another option. Sometimes the team ends your participation, for example because of a serious side effect, disease progression or the trial closing. After leaving, you may be contacted for safety follow-up; whether to agree is also your choice.

02Simple explanation

At any time.

No reason needed.

Tell the team.

Care continues.

03Scientific explanation

NCI: a participant can leave a trial at any time.

NCI: new treatments are tested step by step, from the laboratory to clinical trials; only those proven safe and beneficial become standard care.

04What happens in the body?

How to leave

Talk to the team and agree a transition plan.

A sunlit hallway with an open doorway to a garden
Figure 2.An open door

What happens next

Standard or other treatment, and follow-up.

Care continues
Figure 3.Care continues — Leaving a trial

How to read the news

Research news brings hope, but not every advance suits everyone. Look at who it was tested in, at what phase and in how many people.

Talk to your doctor

Show your doctor what you have read; they will explain how it relates to your diagnosis and treatment. Do not change your treatment on your own.

05From research news to a conversation: four steps

Read, check, ask, decide together.

Read — From a trusted source.1ReadFrom a trusted source.
Check — Phase, participants, result.2CheckPhase, participants, result.
Ask — Show your doctor.3AskShow your doctor.
Decide — Together, without rushing.4DecideTogether, without rushing.
SourceA trusted site.
DoctorA personal explanation.
SafetyNot changing treatment yourself.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
How to leaveTalk to the team and agree a transition plan.
What happens nextStandard or other treatment, and follow-up.
How to read the newsResearch news brings hope, but not every advance suits everyone. Look at who it was tested in, at what phase and in how many people.
Talk to your doctorShow your doctor what you have read; they will explain how it relates to your diagnosis and treatment. Do not change your treatment on your own.

07Key terms

Withdrawal
The decision to leave a trial.
Follow-up
Checking on you after leaving.
Clinical trial
Testing a new treatment with volunteers.
Evidence
A result confirmed by reliable research.

08Key points

  • Learn.
  • Ask your doctor.
  • Write it down.
  • Check the source.
  • Talk to your doctor.

09Frequently asked questions

Will my doctor be upset?

Leaving is your right; your care should continue.

What happens to the data already collected?

The consent document says; ask.

Is this advance right for me?

Only your treating doctor can say, based on your diagnosis, stage and condition.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Will my doctor be upset?

  2. What happens to the data already collected?

  3. Is this advance right for me?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute. Informed Consent in Clinical Trials
  2. National Cancer Institute. Patient Safety in Clinical Trials
  3. National Cancer Institute. What Are Clinical Trials?
  4. National Cancer Institute. Phases of Clinical Trials
  5. National Cancer Institute. Using Trusted Resources
  6. National Cancer Institute. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: overall survival
  7. National Cancer Institute. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: somatic mutation
  8. National Cancer Institute. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: targeted therapy
  9. National Cancer Institute. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: biomarker
  10. National Cancer Institute. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: precision medicine
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
Last updated: ← Back to the list

Open the interactive site →