No images? Click here
Hello and welcome to Best Of Maclean’s.
These surgeons developed a world-first brain tumour treatment
In early January, a team of researchers and physicians from Toronto’s Sunnybrook and SickKids hospitals completed the first step in a world-first clinical trial of a new treatment for pediatric brain cancer. They used MRI-guided ultrasound to temporarily open the blood-brain barrier and deliver chemotherapy to a malignant, inoperable brain-stem tumour called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, or DIPG, most commonly found in children. Patients currently have an average life expectancy of less than a year after diagnosis.
The study’s co-principal investigators are James Rutka, a pediatric neurosurgeon at SickKids Hospital who sub-specializes in brain tumour and epilepsy surgery, and Nir Lipsman, a neurosurgeon and director of Sunnybrook’s Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation. Here, they share what happened during the groundbreaking trial:
On newsstands now:
The Dark World of Canadian Gymnastics
Dave and Elizabeth Brubaker became top Canadian gymnastics coaches by pushing young girls to their limit. Their former athletes say the tough training was a cover for abuse.
Also in this issue:
- Escape from Iran: A Doctor’s Journey
- Physician and author Vincent Lam on the opioid crisis
- Why Gen Z Can't Get Enough Shania
- How Canada’s International School System Scams Students
Buy the latest issue of Maclean’s here and click here to subscribe.
Want to share the Best of Maclean’s with family, friends and colleagues? Click here to send them this newsletter and subscribe.
