SWOG

Southwest Oncology Group is one of the largest cancer clinical trials cooperative groups in the United States. Funded by research grants from the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, the Group conducts clinical trials to prevent and treat cancer in adults, and to improve the quality of life for cancer survivors. Led by Group Chair Laurence H. Baker, D.O., the Group celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006.

Southwest Oncology Group studies many adult cancer types, including breast, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, gynecologic, and lung cancers, as well as melanoma, myeloma, leukemia and lymphoma. Approximately 120 clinical trials are underway at any given time.

The Group’s network of more than 6,500 physician-researchers practice at nearly 550 institutions. Among the Southwest Oncology Group’s institutions are 17 of the National Cancer Institute’s 61 designated cancer centers. Physicians must meet strict medical and ethical requirements in order to become members of Southwest Oncology Group and to conduct the Group’s protocols. Among the types of medical practices represented in the Group are university teaching hospitals, community hospitals, community-based physician cooperatives and individual physician offices.

More than 7,000 cancer patients and healthy participants are enrolled each year in Group studies, and approximately 35,000 more are involved annually in ongoing clinical trials. During the last 25 years, more than 170,000 patients have directly benefited from the Group’s trials, while millions more have received improved care as new standards of treatment or prevention are developed by the Group.