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Prognostic Factors For Male Breast Cancer: Similarity To Female Counterparts, Edward Yu, Larry Stitt, Olga Vujovic, Kurian Joseph, Avi Assouline, Joseph Au, Jawaid Younus, Francisco Perera, Patricia Tai May 2013

Prognostic Factors For Male Breast Cancer: Similarity To Female Counterparts, Edward Yu, Larry Stitt, Olga Vujovic, Kurian Joseph, Avi Assouline, Joseph Au, Jawaid Younus, Francisco Perera, Patricia Tai

Edward Yu

Abstract. Aim: To assess whether prognostic factors in male (MBC) and female (FBC) breast cancer have similar impact on survival. Patients and Methods: Charts for men and women diagnosed with breast cancer referred to the London Regional Cancer Program (LRCP) were reviewed. Patients with distant metastatic diseases were excluded. Data on prognostic factors including age, nodal status, resection margin, use of hormonal therapy, chemotherapy with/without hormone and radiation therapy (RT), overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed. Survival estimates were obtained using Kaplan-Meier methodology. The Cox regression interaction was used to compare male and female …


Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation For Patients With Limited-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer With Response To Chemoradiation, Patricia Tai, Avi Assouline, Kurian Joseph, Larry Stitt, Edward Yu Dec 2012

Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation For Patients With Limited-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer With Response To Chemoradiation, Patricia Tai, Avi Assouline, Kurian Joseph, Larry Stitt, Edward Yu

Edward Yu

Background Previous clinical studies have generally reported that prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) was given to patients with a complete response (CR) to chemotherapy and chest radiotherapy in limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). It is not clear if those with incomplete response (IR) would benefit from PCI. Patients and Methods The Saskatchewan experience from 1981 through 2007 was reviewed. Patients were treated with chest radiotherapy and chemotherapy with or without PCI (typical doses: 2500 cGy in 10 fractions over 2 weeks, 3000 cGy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks, or 3000 cGy in 10 fractions over 2 weeks). Results There were …


Male Breast Cancer, Edward Yu May 2012

Male Breast Cancer, Edward Yu

Edward Yu

No abstract provided.


Long-Term Outcome Of Breast Cancer Patients With One To Two Nodes Involved-Application Of Nodal Ratio, Patricia Tai, Kurian Joseph, Ali El-Gayed, Edward Yu Dec 2011

Long-Term Outcome Of Breast Cancer Patients With One To Two Nodes Involved-Application Of Nodal Ratio, Patricia Tai, Kurian Joseph, Ali El-Gayed, Edward Yu

Edward Yu

Abstract: Nodal ratio (NR) is defined as the number of involved nodes to the number of nodes examined. There is limited information on the application of NR on population data. Previous reports in breast cancer generally analyzed one to three positive axillary nodes as a single group. This study investigates whether one to three positive axillary nodes is a homogeneous group in prognosis by comparing one to two positive nodes to three positive nodes. The population-based registry of a Canadian province from 1981 through 1995 was searched. As the reliability of nodal assessment depends on the number of nodes sampled, …


Optimal Strategy For Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation In Limited Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer, Edward Yu, Patricia Tai, Avi Assouline, Kurian Joseph Dec 2011

Optimal Strategy For Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation In Limited Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer, Edward Yu, Patricia Tai, Avi Assouline, Kurian Joseph

Edward Yu

No abstract provided.


Mesothelioma - Epidemiology And Management, Patricia Tai, Edward Yu, Avi Assouline, Kurian Joseph Sep 2011

Mesothelioma - Epidemiology And Management, Patricia Tai, Edward Yu, Avi Assouline, Kurian Joseph

Edward Yu

Mesothelioma is an uncommon tumor. It has a latency period of 20-40 years. The most important risk factor is asbestos exposure. Prognosis of mesothelioma is generally poor with high case-fatality rate, and research to improve the outcome of this disease is on-going worldwide. Due to its rarity, management by a multidisciplinary team with experience is recommended. Carefully selected patients may benefit from tri-modality (surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy) treatment. The management of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma is summarized in this review. Recent advances in chemotherapy and biologic response modifiers are promising.


Lung Cancer Epidemiology – A Global View, Patricia Tai, Edward Yu, Rashmi Koul, Arbind Dubey Sep 2011

Lung Cancer Epidemiology – A Global View, Patricia Tai, Edward Yu, Rashmi Koul, Arbind Dubey

Edward Yu

Smoking, air pollution and radon exposure are causally related to lung cancer. This review analyzes trends of smoking habits by age, sex and ethnicity and their correlation with incidence and mortality of lung cancer. Unfortunately the use of tobacco by adolescents is on the rise. Most developed countries are still showing the rising trend of mortality in female smokers. In Asia, cigarette smoking has become a major health risk with one in three of all cigarettes in the world today are smoked in China. Estimated one hundred million young ( < 29 years old) Chinese smokers will eventually die from lung …


Lung Cancer Brachytherapy: Robotics-Assisted Minimally Invasive Approach, Edward Yu, Craig Lewis, Ana Trejos, Rajni Patel, Richard Malthaner Sep 2011

Lung Cancer Brachytherapy: Robotics-Assisted Minimally Invasive Approach, Edward Yu, Craig Lewis, Ana Trejos, Rajni Patel, Richard Malthaner

Edward Yu

New technological concepts have been evolving to manage the relative poor prognosis of lung cancer. Brachytherapy is becoming an option for both unresectable and early resectable lung cancer. Three-dimensional ultrasound (US) of lung tumours and image-guided minimally invasive robotics-assisted brachytherapy are feasible for dosimetry planning and management of lung tumours. The present article reviews the current knowledge of lung brachytherapy and discusses its potential in future management of lung cancer.


The Impact Of Post-Mastectomy Radiation Therapy On Male Breast Cancer Patients--A Case Series, Edward Yu, Hiromichi Suzuki, Jawaid Younus, Tarek Elfiki, Larry Stitt, Gary Yau, Olga Vujovic, Francisco Perera, Michael Lock, Patricia Tai Mar 2011

The Impact Of Post-Mastectomy Radiation Therapy On Male Breast Cancer Patients--A Case Series, Edward Yu, Hiromichi Suzuki, Jawaid Younus, Tarek Elfiki, Larry Stitt, Gary Yau, Olga Vujovic, Francisco Perera, Michael Lock, Patricia Tai

Edward Yu

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of radiation management on male breast cancer (MBC) at London Regional Cancer Program (LRCP). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Men with a diagnosis of breast cancer referred to LRCP were reviewed. The seventh American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system was used. Patients treated with and without post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) were analyzed. Disease-free survival (DFS) was defined as time duration from diagnosis to first recurrence. Overall survival (OS) was defined as time duration from pathologic diagnosis to death or last follow-up with any death defined as an event. Survival estimates were obtained using Kaplan-Meier methodology. RESULTS: …


Issues Related To Sentinel Lymph Node Assessment In The Management Of Breast Cancer—What Are Relevant In Pathology Reports?, Patricia Tai, Kurian J. Joseph, Edward Yu Dec 2010

Issues Related To Sentinel Lymph Node Assessment In The Management Of Breast Cancer—What Are Relevant In Pathology Reports?, Patricia Tai, Kurian J. Joseph, Edward Yu

Edward Yu

Most cancer centers now perform sentinel node (SN) biopsies. The limited number of SNs sampled compared with an axillary dissection has allowed more comprehensive lymph node analysis resulting in increased detection of micrometastases. Many node-negative cases are now reclassified as micrometastatic. Recent research on SN biopsy focuses on whether axillary dissection is always necessary when the SN is positive. Some subgroups of patients have a higher risk of more nodal metastases when completion axillary dissections were performed. This paper summarizes the different studies and examines what are the clinically relevant items to report on SN node pathology: volume or size …


What Are The Factors That Predict Outcome At Relapse After Previous Esophagectomy And Adjuvant Therapy In High-Risk Esophageal Cancer?, Edward Yu, P. Tai, R. Malthaner, L. Stitt, G. Rodrigues, R. Dar, B. Yaremko, J. Younus, M. Sanatani, M. Vincent, B. Dingle, D. Fortin, R. Inculet Oct 2010

What Are The Factors That Predict Outcome At Relapse After Previous Esophagectomy And Adjuvant Therapy In High-Risk Esophageal Cancer?, Edward Yu, P. Tai, R. Malthaner, L. Stitt, G. Rodrigues, R. Dar, B. Yaremko, J. Younus, M. Sanatani, M. Vincent, B. Dingle, D. Fortin, R. Inculet

Edward Yu

OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated factors affecting outcome at relapse after previous surgery and adjuvant chemoradiation (crt) in high-risk esophageal cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1989 to 1999, we followed high-risk resected esophageal cancer patients who had completed postoperative crt therapy. Patients who relapsed with a disease-free interval of less than 3 months were treated with palliative crt when appropriate. Patients with a disease-free interval of 3 months or more were treated with best supportive care. Post-recurrence survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier technique, and statistical comparisons were made using log-rank chi-square tests and Cox regression. RESULTS: Of the …


A Review Of Autoimmune Diseases Associated With Cancer, Patricia Tai, Edward Yu, Kurian Joseph, Thomas Miale Dec 2009

A Review Of Autoimmune Diseases Associated With Cancer, Patricia Tai, Edward Yu, Kurian Joseph, Thomas Miale

Edward Yu

The focus of this review is on the relationships between autoimmune diseases and cancer from two closely related perspectives: 1.Those autoimmune diseases which are often associated with malignancies. 2.Those prevalent cancers which may increase the risks of developing autoimmune disorders. The review concludes with a brief discussion of some selected innovative approaches to cancer immunotherapy.


Is Extended Volume Of External Beam Irradiation Beneficial In Post-Esophagectomy High Risk Patients Receiving Combined Chemoradiation Therapy?, E. Yu, A. R. Dar, R. Ash, G. Videtic, P. Truong, L. Stitt, A. Tomiak, M. Vincent, R. Malthaner, I. Craig, E. Brecevic, W. Kocha, R. Inculet, M. Lefcoe Nov 2009

Is Extended Volume Of External Beam Irradiation Beneficial In Post-Esophagectomy High Risk Patients Receiving Combined Chemoradiation Therapy?, E. Yu, A. R. Dar, R. Ash, G. Videtic, P. Truong, L. Stitt, A. Tomiak, M. Vincent, R. Malthaner, I. Craig, E. Brecevic, W. Kocha, R. Inculet, M. Lefcoe

Edward Yu

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of extended volume irradiation with anastomotic coverage in high risk resected esophageal cancer patients. METHOD: A retrospective study was undertaken at LRCC from 1989-1999 for high risk resected esophageal cancer patients. Adjuvant treatments consisted of 4 cycles of chemotherapy (epirubicin/fluorouracil/cisplatin or cisplatin/fluorouracil), and local regional irradiation with or without coverage of the anastomotic site. Radiation dose ranged from 45-60Gy at 1.8-2.0 Gy/fraction given with initial anterior-posterior/posterior-anterior arrangement with either extended (with anastomotic coverage) or small (without anastomotic coverage) field followed by oblique fields for boost. RESULT: One hundred eighty-eight charts were reviewed. Seventy-two patients were …


Robot Assisted Ultrasound Imaged Guided Interstitial Lung Brachytherapy In A Porcine Model, Richard A. Malthaner, Edward Yu, Jerry J. Battista, Chris Blake, Donal Downey, Aaron Fenster Nov 2009

Robot Assisted Ultrasound Imaged Guided Interstitial Lung Brachytherapy In A Porcine Model, Richard A. Malthaner, Edward Yu, Jerry J. Battista, Chris Blake, Donal Downey, Aaron Fenster

Edward Yu

We set out to see if permanent interstitial brachytherapy seeds could be safely and reproducibly inserted thoracoscopicaly with the ZEUS Robotic system and intraoperative ultrasound into in-vivo porcine lungs.


Post-Operative Extended Volume External Beam Radiation Therapy Is Safe For High Risk Esophageal Cancer Patients, Edward Yu, Patricia Tai, Jawaid Younus, Richard Malthaner, Larry Stitt, Pauline Truong, George Rodrigues, Robert Ash, Rashid Dar, Anna Tomiak, Mark Vincent, Walter Kocha, Brian Dingle, Richard Inculet Nov 2009

Post-Operative Extended Volume External Beam Radiation Therapy Is Safe For High Risk Esophageal Cancer Patients, Edward Yu, Patricia Tai, Jawaid Younus, Richard Malthaner, Larry Stitt, Pauline Truong, George Rodrigues, Robert Ash, Rashid Dar, Anna Tomiak, Mark Vincent, Walter Kocha, Brian Dingle, Richard Inculet

Edward Yu

Post-operative radiation therapy (RT) (1) and post-operative chemoradiation (2) have been used for esophageal cancer patients deemed high risk for recurrence after esophagectomy. Defining opitmal RT target volume after esophagectomy is difficult due to significant changes in patient anatomy and function. Some radiationon cologists advocated the inclusion of the anastomotic site within the irradiation volume due to concerns for potential increased relapse risk, while others did not subscribe to this practice due to concerns for increased treatment related toxicity. We have previously reported patient outcome benefit using extended volume RT In management with high risk esophageal cancer patients underwent esopagectomy(3). …


Extended Vs. Small Field Irradiation In High Risk Post Esophagectomy Patients Receiving Combined Chemoradiation Therapy: A Decade Experience In Treatment Of Esophageal Cancer, Edward Yu, Patricia Tai, George Rodrigues, Robert Ash, Larry Stitt, Rashid A. Dar, Pauline Truong, Gregory M. Videtic, Richard Malthaner, Richard Inculet, Anna Tomiak, Jawaid Younus, Brian Dingle, Walter Kocha, Mark Vincent Nov 2009

Extended Vs. Small Field Irradiation In High Risk Post Esophagectomy Patients Receiving Combined Chemoradiation Therapy: A Decade Experience In Treatment Of Esophageal Cancer, Edward Yu, Patricia Tai, George Rodrigues, Robert Ash, Larry Stitt, Rashid A. Dar, Pauline Truong, Gregory M. Videtic, Richard Malthaner, Richard Inculet, Anna Tomiak, Jawaid Younus, Brian Dingle, Walter Kocha, Mark Vincent

Edward Yu

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of extended field irradiation with anastomotic coverage on local recurrence in high risk resected esophageal cancerpatients. METHODS: From 1989-1999, high risk resected esophageal cancer cases receiving post-resection chemoradiation were reviewed. Adjuvant chemotherapy consisted of four cycles of fluorouracil-based regimens. Loco-regional irradiation with or without coverage of anastomotic site had radiation a dose range from 45-60 Gyat 1.8-2.0 Gy/fraction given with initial anterior-posterior/posterior-anterior arrangement with either extended (with anastomotic coverage), or small (without anastomotic coverage) field followed by oblique fields for boost. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-eight charts were reviewed. Seventy-two patients were eligible for post-resection chemoradiation. …


Evaluation Of Intra-And Inter-Fraction Motion In Breast Radiotherapy Using Electronic Portal Imaging Cine Loops, Chrison Lee, Edward Yu, Tomas Kron Nov 2009

Evaluation Of Intra-And Inter-Fraction Motion In Breast Radiotherapy Using Electronic Portal Imaging Cine Loops, Chrison Lee, Edward Yu, Tomas Kron

Edward Yu

Parallel tangent breast irradiation is commonly used postbreast conservation surgery for early breast cancer patient without lymph node involvement to improve local disease control. Intra-fractional and inter-fractional variabilities are often presented in daily treatment setup. The present pilot study used Electronic Portal Imaging (EPI) to evaluate intra-and inter-fraction motion in patients undergoing simple breast tangent radiotherapy.


Effect Of Interval To Definitive Breast Surgery On Clinical Presentation And Survival In Early-Stage Invasive Breast Cancer, Olga Vujovic, Edward Yu, Anil Cherian, Francisco Perera, A. Dar, Larry Stitt, A. Hammond Oct 2009

Effect Of Interval To Definitive Breast Surgery On Clinical Presentation And Survival In Early-Stage Invasive Breast Cancer, Olga Vujovic, Edward Yu, Anil Cherian, Francisco Perera, A. Dar, Larry Stitt, A. Hammond

Edward Yu

Purpose: To examine the effect of clinical presentation and interval to breast surgery on local recurrence and survival in early-stage breast cancer. Methods and materials: The data from 397 patients with Stage T1-T2N0 breast carcinoma treated with conservative surgery and breast radiotherapy between 1985 and 1992 were reviewed at the London Regional Cancer Program. The clinical presentation consisted of a mammogram finding or a palpable lump. The intervals from clinical presentation to definitive breast surgery used for analysis were 0-4, >4-12, and >12 weeks. The Kaplan-Meier estimates of the time to local recurrence, disease-free survival, and cause-specific survival were determined …


Accelerated Fractionation In Inoperable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. A Phase I/Ii Study, Edward Yu, Luis Souhami, Julio Guerra, Brenda Clark, Carole Gingras, Palma Fava Oct 2009

Accelerated Fractionation In Inoperable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. A Phase I/Ii Study, Edward Yu, Luis Souhami, Julio Guerra, Brenda Clark, Carole Gingras, Palma Fava

Edward Yu

Background: A prospective, single-treatment-arm, Phase I/II trial was performed to determine the tumor response to an accelerated regimen and assess the feasibility and toxic effects of this approach in patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Thirty-seven previously untreated patients with inoperable NSCLC who had no evidence of metastatic disease entered the study. All patients were able to walk and had disease that was measurable or assessable. Patients with palpable supraclavicular disease and weight loss were also eligible. Radiation therapy consisted of an altered fractionation regimen with a concomitant boost technique. The original lung volume received a dose …


Decarboxylation Of L-Dopa And 5-Hydroxytryptophan In Dispersed Rat Pancreas Acinar Cells, E. Yu, L. Stern, A. Tenenhouse Oct 2009

Decarboxylation Of L-Dopa And 5-Hydroxytryptophan In Dispersed Rat Pancreas Acinar Cells, E. Yu, L. Stern, A. Tenenhouse

Edward Yu

Amino acid decarboxylation activity in dispersed rat pancreas acinar cells and fractions derived by differential centrifugation of homogenate of these cells was studied. The rate of decarboxylation was measured by determining the rate of production of the [3H]-amine from [3H]-amino acid or the rate of production of 14CO2 from the [14C]-carboxy-labelled amino acid. Only the hydroxylated amino acids L-dopa and 5-hydroxytryptophan are decarboxylated by intact dispersed pancreas acinar cells or cell homogenates at all pH values and amino acid concentrations tested. The decarboxylase activity is located exclusively in the cell cytosol. Each substrate competitively inhibits the decarboxylation of the other …


What Factors Predict Outcome At Relapse After Previous Esophagectomy And Adjuvant Therapy In High-Risk Esophageal Cancer?, Edward Yu, Patricia Tai, Richard Malthaner, Larry Stitt, George Rodrigues, Rashid Dar, Brian Yaremko, Jawaid Younus, Michael Sanatani, Mark Vincent, Brian Dingle, Dalilah Fortin, Richard Inculet Sep 2009

What Factors Predict Outcome At Relapse After Previous Esophagectomy And Adjuvant Therapy In High-Risk Esophageal Cancer?, Edward Yu, Patricia Tai, Richard Malthaner, Larry Stitt, George Rodrigues, Rashid Dar, Brian Yaremko, Jawaid Younus, Michael Sanatani, Mark Vincent, Brian Dingle, Dalilah Fortin, Richard Inculet

Edward Yu

Management of patients who have disease relapse after completion of surgery and adjuvant chemo-radiation (CRT) is controversial. Some oncologists would advocate intensive therapeutic intervention due to promising experience on treatment for recurrence disease while others would recommend palliative support due to the concerns for poor patient outcome post disease recurrence. In Addition, it is not clear if patient outcome is improved post adjuvant CRT when patients at risk have resection margin involvement and if time interval to recurrence can affect patient survival post relapse. The present study was conducted to determine what factors will affect patient outcome at relapse after …


The Management Of Thymoma: A Systematic Review And Practice Guideline, Conrad Falkson, Andrea Bezjak, Gail Darling, Richard Gregg, Richard Malthaner, Donna Maziak, Edward Yu, Christopher Smith, Sheila Mcnair, Yee Ung, William Evans Jun 2009

The Management Of Thymoma: A Systematic Review And Practice Guideline, Conrad Falkson, Andrea Bezjak, Gail Darling, Richard Gregg, Richard Malthaner, Donna Maziak, Edward Yu, Christopher Smith, Sheila Mcnair, Yee Ung, William Evans

Edward Yu

INTRODUCTION: Thymoma is a rare tumor for which there is little randomized evidence to guide treatment. Because of the lack of high-quality evidence, a formal consensus-based approach was used to develop recommendations on treatment. METHODS: A systematic refview of the literature was performed. Recommendations were formed from available evidence and developed through a two-round modified Delphi consensus approach. RESULTS: The treatment recommendations are summarized as follows: Stage I--complete resection of the entire thymus without neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy. Stage II--complete resection of the entire thymus with consideration of adjuvant radiation for high-risk tumors. Stage IIIA--surgery either initially or after neoadjuvant …


The Number Of Axillary Nodes Removed As A Predictor Of Regional Recurrence In Node Negative Breast Cancer, Olga Vujovic, Edward Yu, Anil Cherian, A. Dar, Larry Stitt, Francisco Perera Mar 2009

The Number Of Axillary Nodes Removed As A Predictor Of Regional Recurrence In Node Negative Breast Cancer, Olga Vujovic, Edward Yu, Anil Cherian, A. Dar, Larry Stitt, Francisco Perera

Edward Yu

Purpose: To determine if the number of axillary nodes removed is a predictor of recurrence in node negative breast cancer. Materials and methods: Five hundred thirty-six patients with T1-T2, N0 invasive breast cancer, treated with lumpectomy and axillary node dissection (AND), were reviewed from January 1, 1986 to December 31, 1992. Patients received radiation to whole breast only, without regional nodal radiation. There was no adjuvant chemotherapy or Tamoxifen given. Patients were grouped according to the number of axillary nodes dissected as follows: 1-5 nodes (91 patients), 6-10 nodes (225 patients) and > 10 nodes (220 patients). Hazard ratios and p-values …


The Use Of Ct Density Changes At Internal Tissue Interfaces To Correlate Internal Organ Motion With An External Surrogate, Stewart Gaede, Gregory Carnes, Edward Yu, Jake Van Dyk, Jerry Battista, Ting-Yim Lee Jan 2009

The Use Of Ct Density Changes At Internal Tissue Interfaces To Correlate Internal Organ Motion With An External Surrogate, Stewart Gaede, Gregory Carnes, Edward Yu, Jake Van Dyk, Jerry Battista, Ting-Yim Lee

Edward Yu

The purpose of this paper is to describe a non-invasive method to monitor the motion of internal organs affected by respiration without using external markers or spirometry, to test the correlation with external markers, and to calculate any time shift between the datasets. Ten lung cancer patients were CT scanned with a GE LightSpeed Plus 4-Slice CT scanner operating in a ciné mode. We retrospectively reconstructed the raw CT data to obtain consecutive 0.5 s reconstructions at 0.1 s intervals to increase image sampling. We defined regions of interest containing tissue interfaces, including tumour/lung interfaces that move due to breathing …


The 4th Annual Ontario Thoracic Cancer Conference At Niagara-On-The-Lake, Y. Ung, E. Yu, R. Malthaner, R. Burkes, P. Ellis, G. Goss, H. Solow, S. Irvine, S. Laffan Dec 2008

The 4th Annual Ontario Thoracic Cancer Conference At Niagara-On-The-Lake, Y. Ung, E. Yu, R. Malthaner, R. Burkes, P. Ellis, G. Goss, H. Solow, S. Irvine, S. Laffan

Edward Yu

The 4th annual Ontario Thoracic Cancer Conference at Niagara-on-the-lake focused on the themes of innova- tions in the management of lung cancer, controversies in the management of esophageal cancer, and molecu- lar targeted therapies in lung cancer. This conference summary highlights the presentations and provides clinicians with a referenced update on these topics.


Cardiac Tumours, Patricia Tai, Edward Yu Dec 2008

Cardiac Tumours, Patricia Tai, Edward Yu

Edward Yu

Primary cardiac neoplasms are rare and they are not covered comprehensively in the literature, including textbooks. A Medline search from January 2007 to July 2008 was performed to update the existing literature. Cardiac tumour manifestation may mimic other conditions. It may lead to fatal complications like sudden death, and because the tumour can act as a nidus for the formation of fibrin-platelet aggregates, embolic events occur. Its rarity means that an average physician would have minimal experience with its management. This review will serve as a useful reference.


Post-Operative Extended Volume External Beam Radiation Therapy In High Risk Esophageal Cancer Patients: A Prospective Experience, E. Yu, P. Tai, J. Younus, R. Malthaner, P. Truong, L. Stitt, G. Rodrigues, R. Ash, R. Dar, B. Yaremko, A. Tomiak, B. Dingle, M. Sanatani, M. Vincent, W. Kocha, D. Fortin, R. Inculet Dec 2008

Post-Operative Extended Volume External Beam Radiation Therapy In High Risk Esophageal Cancer Patients: A Prospective Experience, E. Yu, P. Tai, J. Younus, R. Malthaner, P. Truong, L. Stitt, G. Rodrigues, R. Ash, R. Dar, B. Yaremko, A. Tomiak, B. Dingle, M. Sanatani, M. Vincent, W. Kocha, D. Fortin, R. Inculet

Edward Yu

Background and purpose: Extended volume external beam radiation therapy (RT) following esophagectomy is controversial. This prospective study evaluates the feasibility of extended volume RT treatment in high-risk esophagectomy patients with cervical anastomosis receiving post–operative combined chemo-radiation therapy. Patients and methods: From 2001-2006, 15 patients with resected esophageal cancer were prospectively accrued to this pilot study, to evaluate the adverse effects of extended volume RT. Eligibility criteria were pathologically proven esophageal malignancy, T3-4, N0-1, disease amenable to surgical resection and esophagectomy with or without resection margin involvement. Patients with distant metastases (M1) and patients treated with previous RT were excluded. All …


Mira V: An Integrated System For Minimally Invasive Robot-Assisted Lung Brachytherapy, A. Trejos, A. Lin, S. Mohan, H. Bassan, C. Edirisinghe, R. Patel, C. Lewis, E. Yu, A. Fenster, R. Malthaner Apr 2008

Mira V: An Integrated System For Minimally Invasive Robot-Assisted Lung Brachytherapy, A. Trejos, A. Lin, S. Mohan, H. Bassan, C. Edirisinghe, R. Patel, C. Lewis, E. Yu, A. Fenster, R. Malthaner

Edward Yu

An integrated system for minimally invasive robot-assisted image-guided lung brachytherapy has been developed. The system incorporates an experimental setup for accurate radioactive seed placement with commercially available dosimetry planning software. The end result is a complete system that allows planning and executing a brachytherapy procedure with increased accuracy. The results of the in vitro seed placement evaluation show that seed misplacement has a significant effect on the volume receiving more than 200% of the dose (V200), and the minimum dosage received by 90% of the volume (D90).


Dosimetric Evaluation Of Helical Tomotherapy Treatment Planning For Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Karen Chu, George Rodrigues, Slav Yartsev, A. Rashid Dar, Edward Yu, Robert Ash, Brian Yaremko, Marc Mackenzie, Harvey Quon, Glenn Bauman, Wilson Roa Dec 2007

Dosimetric Evaluation Of Helical Tomotherapy Treatment Planning For Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Karen Chu, George Rodrigues, Slav Yartsev, A. Rashid Dar, Edward Yu, Robert Ash, Brian Yaremko, Marc Mackenzie, Harvey Quon, Glenn Bauman, Wilson Roa

Edward Yu

Helical tomotherapy (HT) is a novel technique to deliver intensity modulated radiation therapy guided by 3D megavoltage CT imaging. The purpose of our study is to assess the dosimetric parameters related to HT and 3DCRT in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Eleven patients from the London Regional Cancer Centre and the Cross Cancer Institute with NSCLC underwent individualized treatment planning on both HT and 3DCRT. Corresponding HT and 3DCRT plans for each patient were analyzed using dose-volume histograms for GTV, PTV (median dose 60Gy/30 fractions), and critical structures (lung V5-30, esophageal V50-60, and spinal cord D1). Observed differences in …


Nodal Ratios In Node-Positive Breast Cancer—Long-Term Study To Clarify Discrepancy Of Role Of Supraclavicular And Axillary Regional Radiotherapy, Patricia Tai, Kurian Joseph, Evgeny Sadikov, Shazia Mahmood, Francis Lien, Edward Yu Jun 2007

Nodal Ratios In Node-Positive Breast Cancer—Long-Term Study To Clarify Discrepancy Of Role Of Supraclavicular And Axillary Regional Radiotherapy, Patricia Tai, Kurian Joseph, Evgeny Sadikov, Shazia Mahmood, Francis Lien, Edward Yu

Edward Yu

Purpose: To study the absolute number of involved nodes/the number of nodes examined or the nodal ratio (NR) in breast cancer. The primary study endpoint was to evaluate the role of supraclavicular and axillary radiotherapy (SART) according to the NR. Methods and materials: From the Saskatchewan provincial registry of 1981-1995, the charts of 5,996 consecutive patients were retrieved to collect detailed prognostic factors. Among these patients, 1,985 were node positive. Because the NRs are more reliable the greater the number of nodes examined, we analyzed 1,255 patients with > or =10 nodes examined. Of these 1,255 patients, 667, 389, and 199 …