Brain Tumours in Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA)
Brain Tumours in Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA)
This multi-disciplinary presentation will provide important updates in brain tumours for adolescents and young adults. The team will provide updates in molecular testing, surgical and oncological approaches, as well as an overview of targeted therapies and clinical trials.
Presented by:
Dr. Cynthia Hawkins
Dr. Cynthia Hawkins is a Neuropathologist and the Medical Director of Translational Molecular Pathology at the Hospital for SickKids. She is also a Senior Scientist at the SickKids Research Institute, a Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at The University of Toronto and holds a Garron Family Chair in Childhood Cancer Research. As a neuropathologist, Dr. Hawkins has been instrumental in translating high impact genomic research into the clinic using emerging technologies.
Dr. Sunit Das
Dr. Sunit Das is a neurosurgeon and scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital and the Hospital for SickKids, and Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto. He currently serves as the Provincial Lead for CNS Oncology at Cancer Care Ontario. His laboratory in the Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Centre focuses on the molecular and genetic mechanisms that regulate tumour evolution and treatment resistance in glioblastoma. Dr. Sunit is also co-lead for the Canadian Adolescent and Young Adult Neuro-Oncology Consortium (CANON), a pan-Canada effort to improve outcomes for young people with brain tumours.
Dr. Julie Bennett
Dr. Julie Bennett is a pediatric neuro-oncologist with a focus in adolescent and young adult (AYA) neuro-oncology. There are few studies examining the biology of these tumours, resulting in a lack of dedicated clinical trial options for this population. As a result, the Canadian AYA Neuro-Oncology Network (CANON) was launched, bringing together providers across Canada to improve access to molecular testing, expert case review and improve patient outcome. This collaboration has given us insight into the issues faced in this population and highlighted many areas for further research.
Dr. Mary Jane Lim-Fat
Dr. Mary Jane Lim-Fat is a neuro-oncologist at the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook and an assistant professor at the University of Toronto. She is the co-lead of the Canadian AYA Neuro-Oncology Network (CANON) and a board member of the Society for Neuro-Oncology. She has a clinical and research interest in targeted therapies and outcomes in AYA patients.
Dr. Derek Tsang
Dr. Derek Tsang is a radiation oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Toronto. Dr. Tsang joined the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in 2017, where he is a member of the paediatric and adult central nervous system tumour site groups. His research interests include evaluating re-irradiation for pediatric tumours and reducing the late effects of radiotherapy. His clinical practice includes pediatric oncology, adult neuro-oncology, and stereotactic radiosurgery for non-malignant brain tumours.