Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Sujeto de control histórico
Historical control subject (hih-STOR-ih-kul kun-TROLE SUB-jekt)
An individual treated in the past and used in a comparison group when researchers analyze the results of a clinical study that had no control group. The use of a control, or comparison, group helps researchers determine the effects of a new treatment more accurately.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.