Research and Clinical Trials:
Patients at the cancer care center have local access to the cutting edge advances in medicine and science developed through research. Cancer clinical trials are carefully designed studies conducted to determine optimal treatment methods and improve the quality of life for people with cancer.

MetroWest Cancer Care Center is proud to be one of the initial sites selected by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to participate in both the Clinical Trials Support Unit (CTSU) and National Cancer Institute Central Investigational Review Board project (NCICIRB).

Metrowest physicians benefit from our relationship with National Cancer Institute by having the opportunity to offer patients participation in the latest oncology clinical trials sponsored by national research groups such as:

• Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB)
• Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG)
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG)
• National Surgical Adjuvant Breast & Bowel Project (NSABP)

Currently the Cancer Care Center is enrolling patients in multiple clinical trials for cancers in both medical and radiation oncology in different therapeutic areas.

For more information about cancer research at MetroWest Medical Center please contact us at (508) 383-8465 or research.department@mwmc.com


Cancer Registry:
The Cancer Registry is comprised of one cancer registrar who collects, maintains, and manages health data pertaining to cancer patients’ diagnoses or treatment at MetroWest Cancer Care Center. The registry’s reference data is January 1, 1992 and has a total of 19,960 patients in its computerized database. We currently follow 5,711 patients and have maintained a 92.49 percent success rate for follow-up.

The Cancer Registrar coordinates Cancer Committee meetings and weekly Cancer Conferences. An essential component of the Cancer Program is providing lifetime follow-up of cancer patients, allowing for early detection or evidence of recurrent cancer or identification of a new primary malignancy.

The database includes demographic, clinical and follow-up information on each patient diagnosed or treated. This data is helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment, supporting performance improvement efforts and planning follow-up care for patients.


Prostate Seed Implants:
The Radiation Oncologists and area urologists have combined their expertise in the treatment of prostate cancer to offer patients a special form of radiation therapy. The Prostate Implant Program is a multidisciplinary program that includes urology, radiation oncology, radiation safety, and radiology. Prostate Seed Implants are effective for the treatment of early-stage prostate cancer. This treatment places radioactive sources in the prostate of an anesthetized patient to allow for more internal and accurate prostate cancer therapy. This technique uses real-time intraoperative dosimetry using fluoroscopic and ultrasound imaging. Over 200 procedures have been performed as of March 1998.