Research
This division currently has six gynecological oncologists: Dr. Christa Aubrey, Dr. Melissa Lavecchia, Dr. Sophia Pin, Dr. Jeanelle Sabourin, Dr. Helen Steed and Dr. Tiffany Wells.
Research in this division includes participation in clinical trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group (NCIC CTG), the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) Consortium and various pharmaceutical companies. Current clinical trials focus on new drug treatments for ovarian and endometrial cancer as well as surgical management of early cervical cancer.
The Gynecologic Oncology division also collaborates with basic science researchers in the Department of Oncology. This includes translational studies investigating new targets for the early detection and treatment of ovarian cancer as well as molecular mechanisms underlying ovarian tumorigenesis.
Clinical Research Collaborations
Significant clinical collaborations in this division include:
Ovarian Cancer Research Team
Dr. Helen Steed, Dr. Yangxin Fu (Experimental Oncology), Dr. Cheng-Han Lee (Pathology and the Sawin-Baldwin Chair in Ovarian Cancer) and Dr. Anthony Noujam (Legacy Oncology Chair).
Alberta Cancer Research Biobank (ACRB)
Collection of tissue samples intraoperatively for cancer research
Ongoing Research Projects
1. Prospective data collection: Preoperative weight loss in women with elevated BMI >40 and either atypical endometrial hyperplasia, or grade 1 endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium
2. Hypersensitivity reactions in patients with Gynecologic Cancers
3. Rate of preoperative anemia in patients with endometrial and ovarian cancer - a multi-site Canadian retrospective study
4. Optimizing Treatment Strategies for Vulvar Carcinoma: Insights from a 20-Year Single-Insitutional Review
5. The safety and feasibility of a preoperative weight-loss program in patients with obesity and atypical hyperplasia or low grade endometrial carcinoma
6.The lived experienceand patient-driven iterations to improve a preoperative weight loss intervention in patients with endometrial cancer and obesity
7.Ongoing Robotics Database collection
8. All providers Better communication Skills program (ABCs) interprofessional provider education pre-post study - Gynecologic Oncology Arm
9. Serious Illness Communication Training in Gynecologic Oncology: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Gynecologic Oncologists and Trainees: Melissa Lavecchia, Laura Duncan
Education portfolios
Dr. Helen Steed - RCPSC Western Rep Surgical Foundations Executive Specialty Training Committee
Dr. Sophia Pin - Academic Advisor Competency Committee for CPD
Dr. Christa Aubrey - Program Director, U of A Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency
Dr. Melissa Lavecchia - Educational Lead for the U of A Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology GyneOnc rotation
Clinical innovation
ICG Firefly for sentinel lymph node dissection in robotics commenced March 2019
Preoperative weight loss in patients with Atypical Endometrial Hyperplasia or low grade endometrical cancer prior to definitive surgery.