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# FDA’s Cancer Patient-Focused Glossary
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/fdas-cancer-patient-focused-glossary/
- Published: 2023-03-08T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T18:18:32.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5153933

The FDA Oncology Center of Excellence (OCE) has published a patient-focused glossary of 37 terms to aid patients in understanding complex clinical trial terminology. Writing in *The Oncologist*, six OCE staff members [describe](https://academic.oup.com/oncolo/advance-article/doi/10.1093/oncolo/oyad034/7071727?login=false&ref=fdaweb.com) the process OCE took to develop the glossary.

“The oncology clinical trial terms and definitions used in the glossary were generated from sustained multi-stakeholder engagement that generated rich feedback and discussions through patient workshops, surveys, and focus groups,” the article says. “We hope that this patient-focused glossary will help better inform discussions and decision-making surrounding enrollment and participation in clinical trials, as well as facilitate shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers when discussing trial results that inform the risks and benefits of FDA-approved therapeutic options.”

A pilot project started in 2018 and in the succeeding years, OCE worked to engage and learn extensively from patients about their needs related to understanding oncology clinical trials and terminology.