Page 75 - UHN's Year In Review 2013-14: Courage is Daring to Lead
P. 75
the Princess margaret cancer foundation
Radiation before surgery more than doubles asbestos-related cancer survival
Dr. Cho came forward
with the idea to treat
patients before surgery Dr. Cho’s new approach to
with a five-day, accelerated
course of intensity-modulated treatment – a special type of
radiation therapy. This type
of radiation spares the heart, radiation conducted before
spine and other healthy
tissues around the lungs. surgery – is more than
The surgery is performed
shortly after radiation is doubling the survival rate.
completed. This is important
since radiation wipes out the
cancer’s ability to seed itself
elsewhere in the chest or
abdomen during surgery. “The patients in our Noting that exposure to
study experienced asbestos is the main cause
Significant results shorter treatment, fewer of mesothelioma in the 500
To test the approach, Dr. Cho complications and speedier new cases reported in Canada
worked in collaboration with recovery,” explained Dr. Cho. each year, a number which has
Radiation oncologist Dr. John Cho is giving hope to patients with mesothelioma, a cancer that is linked to Dr. de Perrot. The results were “The three-year survival rate doubled in the past decade,
asbestos exposure. (Photo: the PMCF) significant. more than doubled from
32 per cent to 72 per cent.” (Continued on next page)
Across Canada, hundreds of However, that may begin to Value of collaboration
people are affected by a rare change. Princess Margaret With a strong belief in the
type of deadly lung cancer. It’s Cancer Centre’s Dr. John Cho value of collaboration, Dr. John
called mesothelioma – and it’s and his team are giving hope to Cho, a radiation oncologist, Dr. John Cho Dr. Marc de Perrot
primarily related to asbestos those with the disease. began discussions with
exposure. Dr. Cho’s new approach to thoracic surgeon and head Watch the video of Dr. John Cho, radiation In this video, hear Dr. Marc de Perrot, surgical
oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer
oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer
Since the disease is difficult treatment – a special type of of the Toronto Mesothelioma Centre, as he talks about a new approach to Centre and head of the Toronto Mesothelioma
Research Program, Dr. Marc de
to diagnose in its early radiation conducted before Perrot, about a new approach treating mesothelioma patients. This new Program, discuss program priorities and
stages, most patients with surgery – is more than to treating those with approach is extending some patients’ lives and the need for early screening in high-risk
mesothelioma die within 12 to doubling the survival rate. mesothelioma. enabling them to recover from surgery and populations.
18 months. treatment more quickly.
74 75
Radiation before surgery more than doubles asbestos-related cancer survival
Dr. Cho came forward
with the idea to treat
patients before surgery Dr. Cho’s new approach to
with a five-day, accelerated
course of intensity-modulated treatment – a special type of
radiation therapy. This type
of radiation spares the heart, radiation conducted before
spine and other healthy
tissues around the lungs. surgery – is more than
The surgery is performed
shortly after radiation is doubling the survival rate.
completed. This is important
since radiation wipes out the
cancer’s ability to seed itself
elsewhere in the chest or
abdomen during surgery. “The patients in our Noting that exposure to
study experienced asbestos is the main cause
Significant results shorter treatment, fewer of mesothelioma in the 500
To test the approach, Dr. Cho complications and speedier new cases reported in Canada
worked in collaboration with recovery,” explained Dr. Cho. each year, a number which has
Radiation oncologist Dr. John Cho is giving hope to patients with mesothelioma, a cancer that is linked to Dr. de Perrot. The results were “The three-year survival rate doubled in the past decade,
asbestos exposure. (Photo: the PMCF) significant. more than doubled from
32 per cent to 72 per cent.” (Continued on next page)
Across Canada, hundreds of However, that may begin to Value of collaboration
people are affected by a rare change. Princess Margaret With a strong belief in the
type of deadly lung cancer. It’s Cancer Centre’s Dr. John Cho value of collaboration, Dr. John
called mesothelioma – and it’s and his team are giving hope to Cho, a radiation oncologist, Dr. John Cho Dr. Marc de Perrot
primarily related to asbestos those with the disease. began discussions with
exposure. Dr. Cho’s new approach to thoracic surgeon and head Watch the video of Dr. John Cho, radiation In this video, hear Dr. Marc de Perrot, surgical
oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer
oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer
Since the disease is difficult treatment – a special type of of the Toronto Mesothelioma Centre, as he talks about a new approach to Centre and head of the Toronto Mesothelioma
Research Program, Dr. Marc de
to diagnose in its early radiation conducted before Perrot, about a new approach treating mesothelioma patients. This new Program, discuss program priorities and
stages, most patients with surgery – is more than to treating those with approach is extending some patients’ lives and the need for early screening in high-risk
mesothelioma die within 12 to doubling the survival rate. mesothelioma. enabling them to recover from surgery and populations.
18 months. treatment more quickly.
74 75
