[Problems in conducting clinical trials for cancer patients].

There are many problems and difficulties in conducting clinical trials for cancer patients. Firstly, the public does not understand well the concept of clinical trials. They often can't distinguish clinical trials for comparing two treatment methods from ones for developing new chemotherapeutic agents. Secondly, clinical trials per se can hardly fulfill the necessary conditions. At least four conditions are necessary to allow clinical trials for cancer patients: (1) the possibility of improved survival by the new methods; (2) A necessity to conduct the clinical trials; (3) the possibility of conducting clinical trials; and (4) the permissibility of conducting said trials. However, none of these conditions are fulfilled. The reasons why clinical trials are not allowed in the field of cancer treatment are discussed.