A Phase III clinical trial (study) of a new treatment usually studies the short-term safety, long-term safety, and effectiveness of the new treatment (such as a new surgical procedure or a new drug) in a large number of patients with the same type of disease. Phase III trials test a new type of therapy or a new combination of therapies, in comparison to the current standard of treatment for the specific type of disease. A patient participating in a Phase III trial usually will be assigned at random to either the standard treatment group or the new treatment group.
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