Radiation Oncology in Minnesota

Research

In addition to providing top-quality treatment, members of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester are leaders in research advances on the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Medical research is an integral part of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center.

Clinical trials are carefully designed research studies that test new and promising cancer treatments. Patients who take part in clinical trials may be the first to benefit from improved treatment methods, and they contribute to medical care because the results of the studies may help many people. Patient participation is voluntary, and patients may leave a trial at any time.

Clinical trials are often offered in cooperation with research groups such as the Children's Oncology Group (COG), the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG), the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) and the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG).