Radiation Medicine
Creating tomorrow’s treatment today
Princess Margaret Cancer
Centre operates the
largest radiation medicine
program in North America
under a single roof,
delivering treatment to
over 600 patients every
day. The centre also has
one of the world’s most
productive radiation
research programs that is
continuously implementing
enhancements that make
radiation treatment more
safe, precise and effective.
This year, under the
leadership of Dr. David
Jaffray, The Princess
Margaret begins operation
of two first-in-the-world
magnetic resonance (MR)-
guided radiation therapy
suites. An MR scanner
mounted on ceiling rails
(so it can move in and out
of the suites) will be used
to increase the accuracy of
brachytherapy (the surgical
insertion of radioactive
seeds near a tumour) as
well as external beam
radiation delivery. These
suites will enable our
scientists and physicians to
pursue research in the new
area of
adaptive radiation
therapy
. The high quality MR
images allow physicians
to see in great detail how
tumours are responding, so
adjustments can be made
during a course of radiation
treatment.
It is understood by
oncologists today that
radiation is not as effective
for tumours that are
growing in hypoxic (low
oxygen) environments.
Our clinical team is leading
several important studies
that are testing ways to
overcome hypoxia in
tumour environments in
order to maximize the
impact of radiation.
Our donors are helping us lead the way in...
Searching for the best treatment
Ian Telfer and his wife Nancy
thought the bad news was
never going to end. After
a regular physical in March
2013 indicated a potential
problem at the base of his
tongue, Ian went for a series
of tests and ultimately
learned that he had cancer.
Surgery performed in the
United States could not
completely eradicate the
cancer, and biopsies of
the surrounding lymph
nodes indicated that the
cancer might have spread.
Further treatment would be
required, so Ian and Nancy
began their search to find
out where to get the best
treatment.
They learned that The
Princess Margaret has
one of the largest and
most advanced head
and neck cancer
programs in the world,
and that gave them a lot
of confidence given the
aggressive nature of Ian’s
cancer.
Treatment for tongue
cancer has potential side
effects that include speech
and swallowing difficulties
as well as damage to
dental structures. This was
all carefully explained to
Ian and Nancy along with
information on how, with
the help of physicians and
therapists, they could best
manage side effects.
After experiencing the
impact of treatment for a
head and neck cancer, Ian
and Nancy were motivated
to make a gift that will make
things easier and less toxic
for future patients. Their
generous gift of $500,000
supports the research of
two physicians who were
involved in Ian’s care—
Dr. Shaf Keshavjee and
Dr. Andrew Hope.
