Department of Radiation Oncology
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Radiation team & highlights

» Breast

Highlights

The team is one of the largest academic breast radiation oncology groups in North America. We attend multi-disciplinary breast cancer clinics and tumour board rounds across the Greater Toronto Area in order to improve patient care and foster collaboration between hospitals. We provide inter-disciplinary and comprehensive breast cancer care (nursing, lymphedema clinic, physiotherapy, genetics, psychosocial supports) and high quality, evidence-based radiotherapy treatments. The breast team has developed a number of innovative approaches to problems in breast cancer care with key clinical trials of new technologies and approaches underway.

Specialized clinical programs

  • DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
  • Locally advanced breast cancer
  • Breast SBRT (stereotatic body radiotherapy)
  • Breast cancer recurrences

Research and clinical trials

There are 10 academic radiation oncologists within the breast site group including clinician-scientists, clinician-researchers and educators. Ongoing research initiatives include:

  • Multi-centre, collaborative, randomized clinical studies of breast radiotherapy
  • Population-based and clinical research of Ductal Carcinoma In-Situ (DCIS) to refine treatment criteria and develop personalized radiotherapy treatment plans
  • Basic science/translational/clinical breast imaging examining techniques such as quantitative ultrasound, photoacoustics as early predictors of tumour response
  • Geriatric breast oncology examining patient preferences, education, treatments and outcomes in older patients with breast cancer
  • Stereotactic breast radiotherapy for locally advanced, unresectable or inoperable breast tumours
  • Breast brachytherapy
  • Radiation enhancement by focused ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles
  • Breast radiomics

Team members

Useful links:

Video: Active breathing control during breast cancer radiation treatment »
Learn more about breast cancer care »

» Brachytherapy Program

Highlights

The team is one of the largest academic brachytherapy groups in North America. We offer a wide breath of brachytherapy options and attract referrals from across Ontario. We are leaders in our field and frequently present and publish our experience.

Specialized clinical programs

  • Prostate low- and high-dose rate brachytherapy
  • Interstitial gynecologic brachytherapy
  • Salvage high-dose rate prostate brachytherapy
  • Skin brachytherapy
  • Biliary brachytherapy
  • Ano-rectal brachytherapy

Research and clinical trials

There are seven academic radiation oncologists within the brachytherapy group including clinician-scientists, clinician-researchers and educators. Ongoing research initiatives include:

  • Multi-centre, collaborative, randomized clinical studies of prostate and gynecologic brachytherapy
  • Basic science/translational/ clinical imaging examining techniques such as quantitative ultrasound and MRI as early predictors of tumour response
  • Registry study of salvage prostate brachytherapy

Team members

» Central nervous system

Highlights

The team is one of the largest academic CNS Radiation Oncology groups in North America. We are unique in Canada and globally in that we have six CNS radiation oncologists, and each one has specialized fellowship training in CNS and spine malignancies. Members of the group hold key international leadership positions in research organizations such as the ISRS (International Stereotactic Radiosurgery Society), the Elekta MR-Linac Consortium, and AOSpine. We have the most advanced technologies to treat CNS malignancies, including the first in Canada with the Gamma Knife Icon and the MR-Linac devices to advance care for patients with brain and spine tumours. We are global leaders in adaptive radiation trials, routinely incorporate advanced MR imaging into the treatment paradigm and are committed to excellence in patient care. We are one of the few groups in the world that routinely treat more than 10 brain metastases with radiosurgery. Practice defining randomized trials have been led by our group including the spine SBRT study demonstrating that spine SBRT results in better pain control and local control. We routinely hold training courses with global impact to teach our radiation approach for CNS malignancies. We have a full multidisciplinary approach with neurosurgery, spine surgery and medical neuro-oncology on site.

We also participate with the MR-Guided Focussed Ultrasound program to bring new innovative ways to treat CNS malignancies with multi-modal strategies.

Specialized clinical programs

  • Radiosurgery for multiple brain metastases using Gamma Knife Icon technology
  • Spine SBRT program for primary and metastatic disease
  • Glioblastoma and primary brain tumour adaptive radiotherapy program
  • MR-Linac trials focussed on margin reduction and adaptive radiation for Glioblastoma
  • Adolescent and Young Adult CNS tumour program
  • Dose escalation practice for atypical and malignant meningioma
  • Advance MRI program for the diagnoses of radiation necrosis
  • Linked with the MR-Guided Focussed Ultrasound program to bring new innovative ways to treat CNS malignancies with multi-modal strategies.

Research and clinical trials

  • Phase 2 observational trial for patients presenting with up to 50 metastases eligible for radiosurgery
  • MR Linac adaptive trials for Glioblastoma (UNITED1, UNITED2 AND UNITED3)
  • Advanced MR imaging trials to determine radiation response to brain metastases and glioblastoma
  • Advanced imaging to monitor patients with low grade glioma
  • Molecular FET-PET imaging trials for patients with gliomas (pre-operatively, post-operatively, and pre-radiation)
    • International prospective registry for the treatment of spinal metastases with Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (MTRON)
    • Prospective registry study for all glioma patients providing sequencing capacity for brain tumour genetics (MIND)
  • Optune (tumour treating fields) for glioblastoma (TRIDENT)
    • We participate in various international Phase 3 randomized controlled trials focussed on evaluating new drugs and technologies for patients with CNS malignancies (North American Principal Investigator for the global AGILE study is Dr. James Perry)

Team Members

Useful links

Video: Stereotactic radiosurgery for brain tumours »
Learn more about central nervous system cancer care »

» Gastrointestinal

Highlights

The team provides expert evidence-based radiotherapy treatments for all malignancies of gastrointestinal (GI) origins. We are active participants in multi-disciplinary rounds across the Greater Toronto Area in order to improve patient care and foster collaboration between hospitals. The GI team has developed a number of innovative approaches to manage GI tumors, with an individualized approach used taking into account novel pathologic and genetic features and advanced imaging and radiation delivery techniques to improve patient outcomes.

In 2006 we established the first stereotactic ablative radiotherapy prostate program in Canada. We are also one of the largest pancreas SBRT programs in Canada.

Specialized clinical programs

  • Liver and pancreas sterotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)
  • Liver/bile duct brachytherapy
  • Primary esophageal, rectal and anal canal cancer therapy
  • Pelvic recurrences/re-irradiation
  • Neuroendocrine SBRT and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT)

Research and clinical trials

There are seven academic radiation oncologists within the GI site group including clinician-scientists and clinician-researchers. Ongoing research initiatives include:

  • International randomized clinical studies of PRRT for neuroendocrine tumors
  • Bile duct brachytherapy
  • Translational/metabolomic evaluation
  • Adaptive radiotherapy
  • MR-guided radiotherapy
  • Dose de-escalation for anal canal cancer based upon p16/HPV status

Team members

Useful links:

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) »
Learn more about gastrointestinal cancer care »

» Genitourinary

Highlights

The Odette GU team is one of the largest GU radiation oncology groups globally. We care for patients with prostate, bladder, kidney, testis, urethral and ureteric cancers. Our prostate program offers a full spectrum of services including MRI-screening for biopsy naïve men at risk for prostate cancer, active surveillance, primary radiotherapy (brachytherapy, SBRT and external beam radiation), postoperative radiotherapy, metastasis-directed therapy and hormonal systemic therapies.

We are renowned for our image-guided high dose per day (hypofractionation) program. We designed, conducted and reported over 20 studies which has generated evidence to support as few as 2 treatments (instead of the usual 39-44 treatments). We also support multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary care both inside Odette and thorough the GTA and provide teaching to students locally, nationally and internationally.

Specialized clinical programs

  • MRI screening for men at risk for prostate cancer
  • Transperineal prostate biopsies
  • Active surveillance
  • Prostate brachytherapy (high dose rate and low dose rate)
  • SBRT (stereotatic body radiotherapy) to prostate and metastatic disease
  • Breast cancer recurrences

Research and clinical trials 

There are 11 academic radiation oncologists within the GU site group including clinician-scientists, clinician-researchers and educators. We have 17 studies currently open for prostate and renal cell cancer patients, 13 of which were designed at Odette.

Team members

Useful links:

Video: Radiation therapy for prostate cancer: what to expect »
Video: Prostate Cancer Brachytherapy »
Video: Preparing for your prostate CT planning appointment »
Learn more about stereotactic body radiation therapy for the kidneys and adrenals »
Learn more about genitourinary cancer care »
Familial Prostate Cancer Clinic »

» Gynecological oncology

Highlights

The gynecological radiation oncology group at the Odette Cancer Centre is part of an internationally renowned gynecological oncology team including surgery and medical oncology. The radiation team has leading expertise in MRI-guided adaptive radiotherapy and brachytherapy, and stereotactic ablative radiation. We have one of the largest interstitial brachytherapy programs in the country and receive referral from centres across Canada. The team has leadership in international and national clinical trials in gynecological oncology radiation.

Our state-of-the-art MRI brachytherapy suite is one of the first of its kind in Canada. In the suite, we use real-time using magnetic resonance imaging to guide the placement of the brachytherapy seeds and monitor treatment as it takes place.

Specialized clinical programs

  • MRI-guided brachytherapy
  • Interstitial brachytherapy
  • SBRT (stereotatic body radiotherapy)
  • Salvage radiation and brachytherapy for gynecological recurrences

Research and clinical trials

There are three academic radiation oncologists within the gynecological site group including clinician-scientists, clinician-researchers and educators. Ongoing research initiatives include:

  • Multi-centre, collaborative, randomized clinical studies for cervical, uterine, vaginal and vulvar cancers
  • MRI-guided brachytherapy research
  • Basic science/translational research with tissue biobanking
  • Interstitial brachytherapy research
  • Stereotactic breast radiotherapy
    • oligometastatic disease in gynecological cancers
    • hypofractionated pelvic radiation
  • Functional and novel imaging for gynecological cancers and radiation
  • Radiomics

Team members

Useful links:

» Hematology

Highlights

The radiation oncologists in the haematology site group work with malignant haematologists and lymphoma-dermatologists from around Ontario.

We provide multidisciplinary, inter-disciplinary and comprehensive for patients with haematologic malignancies (complex malignant haematology, lymphoma dermatologists, nursing, psychosocial and family support teams).

We provide state-of-the art, high quality, and evidence-based radiation treatments in interdisciplinary collaboration with radiation therapists, dosimetrists, medical physicists, and radiation therapy nurses.

Specialized clinical programs

  • Prospective study of dose-fractionation in low grade follicular lymphoma
  • Radiation therapy for ocular and other orbital lymphomas
  • Splenic radiation treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia
  • Mycosis fungoides (low dose radiation treatment for refractory plaque or tumourous lesions, including whole scalp IMRT)
  • Sezary syndrome (low dose radiation treatment for palmar and/or plantar hyperkeratosis)
  • Combined modality treatment programs of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for appropriate indications for Hodgkin's Lymphoma, B cell lymphomas, and T cell lymphomas.
  • Bridging therapy

Research and clinical trials

There are two academic radiation oncologists within the radiation oncology haematology site group including a clinician-scientist, and a clinician-researcher-educator. Ongoing research initiatives include:

  • Phase II study of dose-fractionation in low grade follicular lymphoma

Team members

Useful links:

Learn more about hematology cancer care »

» Head and neck

Highlights

Our site represents one of only two centers that treats head and neck cancers in the (GTA) Greater Toronto Area under Ontario’s regionalized care model, and thus represents a high volume center of excellence. We have weekly tumor board discussion and have a full complement of supportive cares including dentistry, speech pathology, nutrition, psychosocial support, lymphedema care, including advanced imaging with PET and MRI based support. We also have revamped clinical trials portfolio allowing patients to access the latest scientific breakthroughs.

Specialized clinical programs

  • MR linear accelerator based therapy
  • Head and neck SBRT (stereotactic body radiotherapy)
  • Reirradiation

Research and clinical trials

There are three academic radiation oncologists within the head and neck site group. Ongoing research initiatives include:

  • Clinical outcomes and quality of life after stereotactic breast radiotherapy for locally advanced or inoperable head and neck cancers or tumors metastatic to the head and neck
  • Radiation enhancement by focused ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles

Current open studies include:

  • Assessment of Efficacy and Safety of Monalizumab Plus Cetuximab Compared to Placebo Plus Cetuximab in Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer (INTERLINK-1)
  • The RADIO trial: Randomized assessment of cisplatin dosing interval for ototoxicity with curative concurrent chemo-radiation for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
  • A Study of Debio 1143 (Xevinapant) in Combination With Platinum-Based Chemotherapy and Standard Fractionation Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy in Participants With Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck, Suitable for Definitive Chemoradiotherapy (TrilynX)
  • The MOMENTUM Study: An International Registry for the Evidence-Based Introduction of MR-Guided Adaptive Therapy

Team members

Useful links:

Learn more about head and neck cancer care »

» Non-melanoma skin cancer

Highlights

Weekly non-melanoma skin cancer multidisciplinary clinic attended by plastic surgery, radiation oncologists, and dermatology/dermatopathology. We provide inter-disciplinary and comprehensive skin cancer care. Treatments offered include external beam radiotherapy, surface brachytherapy, and photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Research and clinical trials

There are four radiation oncologists within the skin site group including clinician-scientists, clinician-researchers and educators. Ongoing research initiatives include:

  • Skin brachytherapy
  • Quality of life metrics

Team members

Useful links:

Learn more about skin cancer care »

» SBRT – Stereotactic body radiation therapy

Learn more about SBRT »

Team members

» Thoracic (lung)

Our radiation oncologists work closely alongside surgical and medical oncologists in our clinic in order to provide the best possible coordinated care for our patients.

We have one of the highest volume cancer centres for lung stereotactic body radiotherapy. 

Learn more about thoracic cancer care » 

Team Members

Browse thoracic (lung) cancer clinical trials