45th Annual General Meeting

Welcome Message

Dear Esteemed Members,

Welcome to the 2024 Annual General Meeting of The Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada in Edmonton!

As we gather here today for our AGM, I am filled with both a sense of gratitude and nostalgia. Gratitude for the incredible strides we have made together during my tenure as President, and nostalgia as I reflect on the cherished moments and impactful initiatives we have undertaken as a community. It is with a mixture of pride and humility that I address you today, for this marks my final AGM as President of this esteemed society.

Our theme for this year's meeting, "Medical Progress in Motion: Paving the Way for the Future," could not be more fitting. It encapsulates the essence of our collective mission—to push boundaries, foster innovation, and continuously strive for excellence in the field of gynecologic oncology. Together, we have been agents of change, driving progress and shaping the future of women's health care in Canada and beyond.

I am particularly delighted to announce the recipient of this year's Presidential Medal, Dr. James Bentley. Dr. Bentley's unwavering dedication, groundbreaking research, and exceptional leadership have not only advanced our understanding of gynecologic oncology but have also inspired countless colleagues and patients alike. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Bentley on this well-deserved honor.

Throughout this AGM, we will have the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions, exchange knowledge and expertise, and celebrate our collective achievements. As we look ahead to the future, let us remain committed to our shared vision of improving outcomes for women affected by gynecologic cancers.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you—for your tireless efforts, your passion, and your unwavering commitment to the GOC. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your President, and I am profoundly grateful for the trust and support you have placed in me.

I wish you all a productive and enriching AGM, filled with meaningful connections and inspiring moments.

With warm regards,

Alon Altman, MD

President, GOC

Run For Her Life

We invite you to register for Run for Her Life, a fun run/walk on Friday, June 14, in Edmonton, AB, during our AGM. This event, graciously supported by Running Room and Merck Canada, will be fun, a statement of commitment to healthy lifestyles, raise awareness of gynecologic cancers, and raise money for charity. This year, all proceeds will go to the Alberta Cancer Foundation. Please help us reach our ambitious goal of $10k. So that all members can participate, there will be a choice between a 5K run and a 3K walk. We will begin at 6:15am MST at Frank Oliver Park, a one-minute walk from Fairmont Hotel Macdonald. Everyone is wholeheartedly encouraged to take part!

Click here to register: Run for Her Life 2024 - Campaign.

Agenda

Program Learning Objectives

At the end of the program, participants will be able to:

Examine the current state of research in gynecologic oncology in Canada;
Interpret the future of endometrial cancer treatments;
Review the current data and next steps in the role of MIS/robotic surgery in ovarian cancers; and
Determine the stage for an update on Canadian research focused on gynecologic oncology.

June 14, 2024
June 15, 2024

June 14, 2024

Morning

06:15 - 07:30

Run for Her Life

Frank Oliver Park
A 3K walk or 5K run in support of the Alberta Cancer Foundation

08:00 - 08:30

Breakfast

Empire Ballroom Foyer

08:30 - 08:40

Welcome and Announcements

Empire Ballroom

Dr. Alon Altman

08:40 - 08:50

Oral Abstract Presentations Session 1(a)

Evaluation of Physical Function and Quality of Life (Qol) Before and After Non-Radical Surgical Therapy (Extra Fascial Hysterectomy or Cone Biopsy with Pelvic Lymphadenectomy) For Stage IA1 (LVSI+) and IA2-IB1

- Examine the changes on functional outcomes of QOL, sexual function, cancer worry, reproductive concerns, and lymphedema
- Estimate the efficacy and perioperative morbidity of non-radical surgery: simple hysterectomy (SHYST) or cone biopsy (CB)(fertility preservation) and pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLN), and to report the pregnancy outcomes after CB.

7 minutes presentation and 3 minutes Q&A

Dr. Allan Covens

08:50 - 09:00

Oral Abstract Presentations Session 1(b)

Oncological outcomes in patients undergoing fertility-sparing treatment of atypical hyperplasia and grade 1 cancer of the endometrium using progestin therapy: results of a novel, specialized oncofertility program

- Be familiar with fertility preservation treatment for patients with atypical hyperplasia or carcinoma of the endometrium.
- Describe standardized treatment pathway for fertility preservation in a setting of atypical hyperplasia or carcinoma of the endometrium
- Review rates of complete response and recurrence for patients with atypical hyperplasia or carcinoma of the endometrium managed with progestin with fertility preservation intent

7 minutes presentation and 3 minutes Q&A

Dr. Oleksandra Dzyubak

09:00 - 09:10

Oral Abstract Presentations Session 1(c)

FOLR1 as a potential novel therapeutic target in low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary or peritoneum

- Learn about a novel antibody-drug conjugate against FOLR1 (Mirvetuximab soravtansine, MIRV)
- Highlight the potential value of MIRV for the treatment of different ovarian cancer subtypes
-Understand the clinical and molecular variables that may inform response to MIRV in LGSC

7 minutes presentation and 3 minutes Q&A

Yuen Yee Leung

09:10 - 09:15

Oral Abstract Presentations Session 1 - Additional Q&A

Moderator: Dr. Cristina Mitric

Dr. Allan Covens

Dr. Oleksandra Dzyubak

Yuen Yee Leung

09:15 - 10:15

Journal Development

- Discuss the final results of the LACC trial with all eligible patients followed for a total of 4.5 years with an emphasis on overall survival analysis
- Describe the results of the exploratory analysis of patients from the LACC trial as it pertains to impact of cervical conization, tumor size, and and residual disease on outcomes based on surgical approaches.
- Identify key elements on the interpretation of the ConCerv and SHAPE trial as it pertains to the surgical approach (minimally invasive vs open) when performing simple hysterectomy

40 minutes presentation and 20 minutes Q&A
Moderator: Dr. Sophia Pin

Dr. Pedro Ramirez

10:15 - 10:30

Morning Networking Break

Wedgwood Room

10:30 - 11:45

Panel Discussion: New Directions in the Multidisciplinary Management of Cervical Cancer

- Apprehend the rationale for less radical surgery in early-stage cervical cancer
- Know the study criteria in the SHAPE trial
- Recognize the importance of careful patient selection

15 minutes presentation/presenter and 30 minutes Q&A
Moderator: Dr. Sarah Mah

Dr. Yvette Drew

Dr. Ericka Wiebe

Dr. Marie Plante

11:45 - 12:35

Poster Presentation Group 1

Galleria Room

8 Posters
Presenting Authors: Dr. Sarah Mah, Dr. Christa Aubrey, Dr. Karlijn Cornel, Dr. Emma Hooker, Oleksandra Dzyubak, Dr. Tomer Bar-Noy, Dr. Yoav Brezinov, and Dr. Lina Salman

Afternoon

12:35 - 13:35

Lunch

Wedgwood Room

13:35 - 13:45

Oral Abstract Presentations Session 2(a)

Predictors of specialist palliative care access and impact on intensity of end-of-life care

- Describe patterns of specialist palliative care consultation for patients dying of gynecologic cancers in Ontario
- Differentiate the symptom trajectories across cancer types and age groups that may lead to palliative care referral.
- Identify the relationship between earlier palliative care referral and the intensity of care at the end of life
- Advocate for timelier primary and specialist palliative care for their patients.

7 minutes presentation and 3 minutes Q&A

Dr. Sarah Mah

13:45 - 13:55

Oral Abstract Presentations Session 2(b)

Assessing Outcomes Measures Following the Introduction of a Comprehensive Ovarian Tumor Surgical Program in Patients with Advanced Ovarian Cancer

- Understand the structure of our Nurse-Led Comprehensive Ovarian Tumor Surgical Program
- Explain the improvements in treatment scheduling for patients with advanced ovarian cancer
- Identify improvements in overall care for patients with advanced ovarian cancer

7 minutes presentation and 3 minutes Q&A

Dr. Karlijn Cornel

13:55 - 14:05

Oral Abstract Presentations Session 2(c)

Post-Operative Complications in Elderly Patients Undergoing Minimally Invasive, Same Day Discharge Surgery for Gynecologic Malignancies

- Become familiar with NSQIP database methodology
- Review 30-day outcomes for gyn oncology MIS patients with same-day discharge
- Discuss these outcomes for elderly patients undergoing MIS gyn oncology surgery

7 minutes presentation and 3 minutes Q&A

Dr. Cristina Mitric

14:05 - 14:15

Oral Abstract Presentations Session 2(d)

Ovarian cancer relapse pattern following robotic versus open cytoreduction

- Delineate the recurrence patterns observed in patients diagnosed with recurrent ovarian cancer, particularly in the context of robotic versus open surgery.

7 minutes presentation and 3 minutes Q&A

Dr. Yossi Tzur

14:15 - 14:20

Oral Abstract Presentations Session 2 - Additional Q&A

Moderator: Dr. Melissa Lavecchia

Dr. Karlijn Cornel

Dr. Sarah Mah

Dr. Cristina Mitric

Dr. Yossi Tzur

14:20 - 15:15

Poster Presentations Group 2

Galleria Room

9 Posters
Presenting Authors: Dr. Jordan Lewis, Dr. Anouk Benseler, Dr. Liat Hogen, Dr. Sean Zhu, Dr. Sophia Pin, Dr. Dalal Alshamma, Dr. Tomer Bar-Noy, Dr. Ada Hsieh, and Dr. Mariam Mohamed.

15:15 - 15:45

Afternoon Networking Break

Wedgwood Room

15:45 - 16:30

Advancing Gynecologic Cancer Impact: Toolkits and Strategies to Support Accessible, Equitable, Evidence-Informed Practice Across Canada

- Articulate the current practice standards for molecular stratification of endometrial and vulvar cancers.
- Identify resources (e.g. toolkits) to support practice change/molecular classification of endometrial and vulvar cancers.
- Identify and overcome barriers to implementation of this practice change.

30 minutes presentation and 15 minutes Q&A
Moderator: Dr. Joan Murphy

Dr. Jessica McAlpine

16:30 - 16:35

3 Minutes 3 Slides(a)

Impact of FIGO 2023 staging criteria for endometrial cancer on stage migration and survival outcomes

- Analyze the newest FIGO 2023 revision of endometrial cancer staging, as applied to a real world population.

Dr. Justin Lim

16:35 - 16:40

3 Minutes 3 Slides(b)

The Era of HPV Vaccine, What Are the Current HPV Types Contributing to High Grade Cervical Dysplasia, Adenocarcinoma in Situ, and Early Cervical Cancer?

- Familiar with the distribution of HPV 16 and 18 in patients presenting with HSIL/AIS/early cervical cancer according to their vaccination status
- Determine whether screening guidelines should be changed based on vaccination status

Dr. Lina Salman

16:40 - 16:45

3 Minutes 3 Slides(c)

Ovarian carcinosarcomas: p53 status defines two distinct patterns of oncogenesis and outcomes

- Describe p53 immunohistochemistry status and its relationship with oncological outcomes in ovarian carcinosarcomas
- Recognize the need for BRCA somatic and germline testing in patients with p53 mutated ovarian carcinosarcomas

Dr. Gurdial Dhillon

16:45 - 16:50

3 Minutes 3 Slides(d)

Stratifying Non-Specific Molecular Profiles of Endometrial Carcinoma into Distinct Prognostic Clusters through Comprehensive Genomic Analysis

- Explain the role of molecular subtyping in improving the classification and prognosis of endometrial carcinoma

Dr. Areej Khatib

16:50 - 17:00

3 Minutes 3 Slides Q&A

Moderator: Dr. Ada Hsieh

Dr. Justin Lim

Dr. Lina Salman

Dr. Gurdial Dhillon

Dr. Areej Khatib

17:00 - 17:05

Surgical Video Presentations(a)

Fertility Preserving Robotic Radical Trachelectomy in a 16year-old patient with Cervical Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma

- Demonstrate the surgical steps of the procedure in a 16-year-old patient with stage 1B1 cervical RMS measuring 1.7 cm. stage IB1.

Dr. Javier Mejia-Gomez

17:05 - 17:10

Surgical Video Presentations(b)

Robotic Hysterectomy and Bilateral Salpingectomy: The Novel HUGO RAS System in North America

- Illustrate a case of robotic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy using the HUGO RAS system

Dr. Cristina Mitric

17:10 - 17:15

Surgical Video Presentations Q&A

Moderator: Dr. Ada Hsieh

Dr. Javier Mejia-Gomez

Dr. Cristina Mitric

17:15 - 17:20

Closing Remarks

Empire Ballroom

Dr. Sophia Pin

Evening

18:00 - 19:00

Cocktail Hour

Empire Foyer

19:00 - 23:55

Dinner & Entertainment

Empire Ballroom
Dinner, Dr. James Bentley's GOC Presidential Medal award presentation, and entertainment

Speakers

Click on the speaker to read their bio and view their conflict of interest form.

Dr. Alon Altman

Professor, Gynecologic Oncology at University of Manitoba, Cancercare Manitoba

Dr. Karlijn Cornel

Gynecologic Oncology Fellow at University of Toronto

Dr. Allan Covens

Gynecologic Oncologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Dr. Gurdial Dhillon

Gynecologic Oncology Fellow at University of British Columbia

Dr. Yvette Drew

Medical Oncologist at British Columbia Cancer Agency Vancouver

Dr. Oleksandra Dzyubak

Gynecologic Oncology Fellow at University of Toronto

Dr. Ericka Wiebe

Radiation Oncologist at Cross Cancer Institute

Dr. Paige Fox

Plastic Surgeon and Associate Professor at Stanford University

Dr. Areej Khatib

Assistant Professor of Pathology at University of Sasketchwewan

Yuen Yee Leung

Research Technician at University of British Columbia

Dr. Justin Lim

Resident Physician at University of Toronto

Dr. Sarah Mah

Gynecologic Oncologist at Juravinski Cancer Centre

Dr. Jessica McAlpine

Surgeon-Scientist at University of British Columbia and BC Cancer

Dr. Javier Mejia-Gomez

Resident Physician at University of Toronto

Dr. Cristina Mitric

Gynecologic Oncology Fellow at University of Toronto

Dr. Sophia Pin

Gynecologic Oncologist at Cross Cancer Institute

Dr. Marie Plante

Full Professor and Gynecologic Oncologist at Laval University and L’Hôtel-Dieu de Québec

Dr. Pedro Ramirez

Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologic at Houston Methodist Hospital

Dr. Lina Salman

Gynecologic Oncologist at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry

Dr. Claire Temple-Oberle

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at University of Calgary

Dr. Yossi Tzur

Gynecologic Oncology Fellow at McGill University

Dr. Altman is the President of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada (GOC), the program director for the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, chair of the University Medical Group (UMG), vice chair for the Medical Management Safety Committee (MMSC) at CancerCare Manitoba, the current Gynecologic oncology track lead for the FIGO 2021 Scientific planning committee and the previous co-chair of the Canadian Obstetrics and Gynecology Review program (COGRP). Dr. Alon Altman is a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the Rady Faculty of Health Sceinces. He is also a gynecologic oncologist at the Health Sciences Centre/Cancercare Manitoba. He has a strong interest in undergraduate/postgraduate education and research. He is actively involved in multiple university, national and international committees.

Dr. Drew is a Medical Oncologist and Associate Professor at BC Cancer Centre Vancouver and the University of British Columbia. She specialises in the care and management of patients with gynecological cancers and the development and delivery of early phase clinical trials. Dr Drew joined the team in Vancouver in 2021. Prior to this she worked as a Senior Lecturer and Medical Oncologist in the UK and was the translational gyne cancer lead and the deputy lead of the Experimental Medicines Centre in Newcastle. She undertook specialist medical oncology training at the Beatson West of Scotland cancer centre, Glasgow and the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Newcastle. During this time, she was awarded a Cancer Research UK funded PhD fellowship investigating the role of PARP inhibitors in homologous recombination deficient ovarian cancer. During her PhD she won a merit award for her research from the American Society of Clinical Oncology and was awarded the Medical Sciences doctoral prize. Since coming to Vancouver, she has been awarded clinical trial research funding from Ovarian Cancer Canada and was recently awarded a Michael Smith Health Professional Investigator award. She is an active member of the GYN and Phase 1 clinical trials groups within Vancouver and the Canadian Clinical Trials Group. Dr Drew is the new chair of the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative clinical trials group. She has been principal investigator of multiple early phase studies and is a co-chair of the IND-243 study. Research interests are the targeting of DNA repair pathways as treatment for cancer and novel therapies in gynaecological malignancies.

Dr. Wiebe is a radiation oncologist with expertise in treating breast and gynecologic cancers. Dr. Wiebe is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario (now Western University) School of Medicine and the Western University Radiation Oncology residency program. Dr. Wiebe completed fellowship training focused on gynecologic radiation therapy at the University of Toronto, Sunnybrook Hospital under the supervision of Dr Gillian Thomas.

Dr Wiebe is an associate professor in the University of Alberta faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, and a radiation oncologist at the Cross Cancer Institute with a particular focus on MRI-guided techniques and quality of life outcomes. Her research portfolio includes clinical contributions international studies (e.g., the EMBRACE portfolio), and optimizing care with respect to risk-adapted cancer treatment strategies. Dr. Wiebe has interests in providing individualized care to patients that extend beyond image-guided treatment techniques to look more closely at late effects of treatment, and to develop resources for areas of need--including sexual health in oncology, and adolescent and young adult oncology.

Dr. Khatib is an Assistant Professor of Pathology at the University of Saskatchewan. She completed her residency in Israel and a Gyn-Pathology fellowship at Johns Hopkins University. Additionally, Dr. Khatib holds a Master of Health from McGill University. She has received numerous honors, including awards from the Karl Kahane Foundation in Switzerland, the National Institute of Health (NIH) in the USA, and the Cedars Cancer Foundation in Canada. Dr. Khatib has been the principal investigator on international research projects totaling around 1 million dollars and has made significant contributions to the field through her extensive publications and presentations at international conferences.

Dr. Mah is a Locum Gynaecologic Oncologist at the Juravinski Cancer Centre and Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct) at McMaster University. She completed her Gynaecologic Oncology fellowship at McMaster University, her MSc in Quality Improvement and Patient Safety through the University of Toronto Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, and her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of British Columbia. Her current research interests include the application of knowledge translation and implementation science toward palliative care in Gynaecologic Oncology and surgical patients, cancer prevention, and patient-centered outcomes research.

Dr. Pedro T. Ramirez is Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologic at Houston Methodist Hospital. He is also the recipient of the Alan L Kaplan, MD Chair in Obstetrics & Gynecology.

He has published a total of 323 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine and has published a total of 19 book chapters. In addition, he is the Editor for the textbook titled Principles of Gynecologic Oncology Surgery. Dr. Ramirez is also the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer.

He has published extensively on the subject of ERAS in numerable high-impact peer-reviewed journals. Of significant note, he co-authored the current Guidelines for ERAS Programs entitled “Guidelines for pre- and intraoperative care in gynecologic/oncology surgery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society recommendations-Part I”, and “Guidelines for postoperative care in gynecologic/oncology surgery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society recommendations-Part II”. He is also Co-Editor of a textbook published in 2022 titled The ERAS Society Handbook for Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Dr. Ramirez is the Principal Investigator in the LACC Trial: A Phase III Randomized Clinical Trial of Laparoscopic or Robotic Radical Hysterectomy versus Abdominal Radical Hysterectomy in Patients with Early Stage Cervical Cancer. The study accrued a total of 631 patients and was an international collaboration involving 33 sites throughout the world. This landmark study showed that minimally invasive radical hysterectomy in patients with early-stage cervical cancer was associated with a worse disease-free survival, recurrence rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival when compared to the open approach. These results have been practice changing and all guidelines have changed to the open approach as the standard of care when performing radical hysterectomy. The study was published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Most recently, Dr. Ramirez was made member of the IDEAL Council at Oxford University in England. In this role, he collaborates with leaders in the field of surgical research on developing strategies to integrate innovative surgical tools to the standard of care practice in patients with gynecological cancers.

Dr. Salman is excited to be joining the division of Gynecologic Oncology at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, commencing in June, 2024. She holds an MD degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. Subsequently, she completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Rabin Medical Centre, Israel. Recently, she concluded a three-year fellowship program in Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Toronto. During this period, she also earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Epidemiology and Health Services Research from the University of Toronto. She is deeply passionate about clinical research and has authored over 50 publications. Her primary research focus is on ovarian cancer, with an emphasis on enhancing patients’ outcomes and reducing treatment-related toxicity.

Dr. Claire Temple-Oberle is a professor of surgery and oncology at the University of Calgary. She completed her medical training at Queen’s University, her plastic surgery residency at Western University, and her fellowships in microvascular surgery and cutaneous oncology at the MD Anderson and Tom Baker Cancer Centre respectively. Dr. Temple-Oberle completed her Masters in Epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health and her Masters of Medical Education at the University of Dundee. Her practice focuses on melanoma, immediate lymphatic reconstruction, and breast reconstruction. She is the lead of the Alberta Cutaneous Tumour Team. Her research focuses survivorship quality of life, such as minimizing morbidity of surgical therapies for melanoma and breast cancer.

Posters

Increasing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination at time of loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) to reduce recurrent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+): a quality improvement project

Presenting Author: Jordan Lewis

The Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada

Contact us

Welcome Message

Run For Her Life

Agenda

June 14, 2024

June 15, 2024

June 14, 2024

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

June 15, 2024

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Speakers

Dr. Alon Altman

Dr. Karlijn Cornel

Dr. Allan Covens

Dr. Gurdial Dhillon

Dr. Yvette Drew

Dr. Oleksandra Dzyubak

Dr. Ericka Wiebe

Dr. Paige Fox

Dr. Areej Khatib

Yuen Yee Leung

Dr. Justin Lim

Dr. Sarah Mah

Dr. Jessica McAlpine

Dr. Javier Mejia-Gomez

Dr. Cristina Mitric

Dr. Sophia Pin

Dr. Marie Plante

Dr. Pedro Ramirez

Dr. Lina Salman

Dr. Claire Temple-Oberle

Dr. Yossi Tzur

Posters

ePosters

Tickets

GOC Member Physicians - AGM only

GOC Member Fellows - AGM only

Other GOC Members - AGM only

Non-Member Physicians - AGM only

Non-Member Fellows - AGM only

Other Non-Members - AGM only

Sponsors and Partners - AGM only

Retired GOC Members - AGM only

Residents/Students - AGM only

GOC Member - Gala Ticket

Non-Member - Gala Ticket

GOC Executive - AGM only

GOC Executive - Gala Ticket

Invited Partner Rep

AGM Speaker

GOC Staff-AGM full event

Sponsor allocation-AGM only

Sponsor Allocation-Gala event

Inivited partner rep - Gala

Staff-Gala

Presidential Medal Award

Accomodation and Travel

Speaker Guidelines

Program Planning Committee

Sponsors and Partners

Organizer

Platinum

Bronze

Supporter