On this page, we have a glossary of terms you may hear when participating in a clinical trial.
Blind trial
A trial where the patient does not know if they’re in the treatment or control group.
Controlled trial
A trial where participants are split into groups to compare a new treatment with a standard treatment, placebo, or no treatment.
Double blind trial
A trial where neither the patient nor the clinical team knows which group the patient is in.
Eligibility criteria
The conditions a person must meet to take part in a trial. These may include age, type of sarcoma, disease stage, medical history, and general health.
Exclusion criteria
Characteristics that prevent someone from joining a trial.
Inclusion criteria
Characteristics that a person must have to join a trial.
Placebo
A pill or treatment that looks real, but does not contain any real medicine, like a sugar pill.
Randomised trial
A trial where a computer randomly assigns participants to the treatment or control group.
Standard treatment
The best current, accepted treatment for the type of sarcoma.
Trial group (treatment group)
The group of participants receiving the new treatment being tested.
Control group
The group of participants receiving the standard treatment, placebo, or no treatment for comparison.
Phase 1 trial
Tests a treatment’s safety, dosage, and side effects.
Phase 2 trial
Tests whether a treatment works for a specific cancer and gathers more information on side effects and dosage.
Phase 3 trial
Compares a new treatment with the current standard treatment to see which works better.
Phase 4 trial
Monitors the long-term side effects and safety of treatments already approved for use.
Informed consent
The process of agreeing to take part in a clinical trial after being fully informed of what it involves.
Open-label trial
A trial where both the participant and clinical team know which treatment is being given.
Crossover trial
A trial where participants switch between treatment and control groups during the study.
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Last reviewed July 2025 | Next review due July 2028
All references are available upon request. Please email info@sarcoma.org.uk
