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My primary research interests are improving our understanding, diagnosis and screening of gynaecological cancers - leading to earlier detection and more effective treatment. Surgical and Gynaecological Pathology
As a surgical pathologist I examine surgically resected tissue specimens and samples (biopsies). These examinations are then used to guide the management of patients, and to develop new understanding of diseases. With technology opening new pathways for the investigation of human disease there are many opportunities for research in my prime area of interest – gynaecological diseases. (See: International Society of Gynecological Pathologists) Cytopatholopy and Cervical Cancer Screening
Cytopathology is the microscopic examination of cells from body fluids or from surface scrapings. Many cancers are first detected by cytopathology. Cellular scrapings of the cervix (the “Pap smear”) can also detect pre-cancers. The detection and treatment of these pre-cancers has eliminated cervical cancer as one of the most common cancers in women. We need to continually assess new imaging and molecular technologies that can be used to analyze cytopathology specimens from all body sites so we can improve our cytopathologic practice. (See: American Society of Cytopathology) Tissue Proteomics
With current or past support from the National Cancer Institute of Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and International Science and Technology Partnerships (Canada) Principal Investigators Michael Siu of York University’s Center for Research in Mass Spectrometry, and Ranju Ralhan, Senior Scientist at our hospital, myself and other collaborators have developed a program to discover, identify, and verify biomarkers using a tissue proteomic platform. Currently, we are focusing on two disease sites – endometrial and head and neck cancers. This multi-disciplinary team hopes to develop new methods for screening, diagnosis, and classification of these two cancers. Familial Ovarian Cancer
Some ovarian cancers are a direct result of an inherited genetic abnormality. If a woman becomes aware of this genetic predisposition she may choose to have her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed to reduce her risk of developing cancer. Our microscopic studies of these resected ovarian and tubes have identified previously unrecognized pre-cancerous lesions. With the support of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Theodore Brown, Barry Rosen, myself, and others are trying to establish pathway(s) of ovarian cancer development. Knowledge of this pathway is key to developing new preventative and treatment methods. |
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www.colganpath.ca |