Illusion and reality: practical pitfalls in interpreting clinical trials

Abstract

This paper has attempted to review for the reader some of the common problem areas in the interpretation of results of cancer treatment. The intention has been to point out potential pitfalls in interpretation so that the reader can comprehend the literature with more insight and criticalness . The plethora of journals and ongoing investigations indicates a greater need for critical understanding on the part of readers. This understanding stretches from the definitions of success and failure used in generating survival curves, to the accumulation and analysis of data and presentation of the results. We hope this paper will help the reader to achieve a greater degree of that understanding.