๐Ÿ›๏ธ Verified NIH Record โ€ข Updated 2025-06-20

Randomized Controlled Trial of Early Palliative Care for Patients With Advanced Cancer (NCT01248624)

Early Specialized Palliative Care Team Intervention for Patients With Metastatic Cancer: A Cluster Randomized Trial

๐Ÿ”ต Active, Not Recruiting Observational / Diagnostic ๐Ÿง  Behavioral & Psychological Program Sponsor: University Health Network, Toronto

๐Ÿฉบ Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

Patients with advanced cancer often have numerous physical and psychological symptoms, which can negatively affect their quality of life. A palliative care team of different health care professionals (including doctors, nurses, social workers and therapists) specializes in treating these symptoms and offers support for patients and their families. However, palliative care teams are currently involved only in the last two months of a patient's life or not at all. The main purpose of this study is to determine whether, compared to conventional cancer care, early involvement by a specialized symptom control and palliative care team in patients with advanced cancer will be associated with: better quality of life, greater patient and caregiver satisfaction with care, better symptom control, improved communication with healthcare providers and improved caregiver quality of life.

Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.

Location: Princess Margaret Cancer Centre โ€” Toronto, Ontario

Age range: 18 Years

๐Ÿงช Interventions in This Study

  • Early Palliative Care Referral (BEHAVIORAL)

๐Ÿ“‹ "Do I Qualify?" โ€” 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Full eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria โ†—

๐Ÿ“ All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)

  • Princess Margaret Cancer Centre โ€” Toronto, Ontario

๐Ÿ’ฐ Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

  • 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
  • Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA ยง 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
  • Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

Explore by condition: All Cancer clinical trials

๐Ÿ’ก How to Participate

  1. Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
  2. Review the official NIH record below to find the coordinating site.
  3. Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
  4. Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.
๐Ÿ›๏ธ View Official NIH Record โ†—