Structure and organization:
New patients are systematically evaluated in a multidisciplinary clinic, bringing together neuro-oncologists (Drs Sarah Lapointe and Julien Rousseau), oncologists (Drs Marie Florescu and Bernard Lemieux), radiation oncologist (Dr Bahary), and neurosurgeons (Dr Moumdjian and soon Dr Racicot).
Follow-up of patients under oncological treatments (chemotherapy and targeted therapies) is conducted in individual clinics, with the support of a dedicated neuro-oncology nurse navigator and research nurses.
Multidisciplinary committees ("tumor boards"):
Primary central nervous system tumors
Brain metastases
Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) brain tumors (pancanadian)
Pituitary tumors
Other specialized committees as needed
Fellow involvement:
Guaranteed participation in a minimum of three full days per week dedicated to the diagnosis and management of primary central nervous system tumors
Consultations/follow up of hospitalized patients
Monthly presentation at the neuro-oncology journal club (duration: 30 minutes)
This comprehensive clinical experience allows the fellow to develop extensive expertise in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of brain tumors, while benefiting from exposure to multidisciplinary discussions and clinical research.
Structure and organization:
New patients are systematically evaluated in a multidisciplinary clinic, bringing together neuro-oncologists (Drs Sarah Lapointe and Julien Rousseau), oncologists (Drs Marie Florescu and Bernard Lemieux), radiation oncologist (Dr Bahary), and neurosurgeons (Dr Moumdjian and soon Dr Racicot).
Follow-up of patients under oncological treatments (chemotherapy and targeted therapies) is conducted in individual clinics, with the support of a dedicated neuro-oncology nurse navigator and research nurses.
Multidisciplinary committees ("tumor boards"):
Primary central nervous system tumors
Brain metastases
Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) brain tumors (pancanadian)
Pituitary tumors
Other specialized committees as needed
Fellow involvement:
Guaranteed participation in a minimum of three full days per week dedicated to the diagnosis and management of primary central nervous system tumors
Consultations/follow up of hospitalized patients
Monthly presentation at the neuro-oncology journal club (duration: 30 minutes)
This comprehensive clinical experience allows the fellow to develop extensive expertise in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of brain tumors, while benefiting from exposure to multidisciplinary discussions and clinical research.
CHUM Center of Expertise in Neurofibromatosis
The CHUM Center of Expertise in Neurofibromatosis, established in 2021, is the only interdisciplinary clinic in Eastern Canada dedicated to the care of adult patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and schwannomatosis linked to NF2, LZTR1, or SMARCB1.
Our core team consists of:
Dr. Sarah Lapointe, Neurologist, Neuro-oncologist, and Center Director
Dr. Moujahed Labidi, Neurosurgeon
Dr. Zaki El Haffaf, Medical Geneticist
A specialized Clinical Nurse
A Genetic Counselor
Our center stands out in Canada in several ways:
Care for over 500 patients since opening (targeting >1000 in the coming years)
High volume: 25 to 28 patients per clinic
Expertise in innovative targeted therapies (selumetinib, trametinib, bevacizumab)
Coordinated transition of pediatric patients from CHU Sainte-Justine to adult care
Unique multidisciplinary approach; Our center has established more than a dozen service corridors to ensure comprehensive care for multisystemic conditions. We work closely with specialists in psychiatry and neuropsychology, ophthalmology, dermatology, plastic surgery, orthopedics, internal medicine, endocrinology, surgical oncology, ENT and audiology, among others
Training:
Neuro-oncology fellows actively participate in the center's activities with 2 to 3 monthly clinics, allowing comprehensive exposure to the complexity of patient care.
For more information, visit: https://www.chumontreal.qc.ca/repertoire/centre-dexpertise-neurofibromatose
CHUM has established itself as a pioneer center in Quebec for the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune and paraneoplastic neurological syndromes. Our expertise in this field is recognized at the provincial level, particularly through:
Our specialized team:
Dr. Sarah Lapointe, Neurologist and Neuro-oncologist
Dr. Julien Rousseau, Neurologist and Neuro-oncologist
Dr. Gabrielle Macaron, Neuro-immunologist
Dr. Lahoud Touma, Neuro-hospitalist
Clinic strengths:
High volume of new cases diagnosed in the neurology unit
Participation in the development of Canadian guidelines for the management of autoimmune encephalitis (Dr. Lapointe)
Development of a local standardized protocol for the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions (Drs. Lapointe and Rousseau)
Fellow involvement:
Active participation in initial diagnosis
Contribution to acute management
Longitudinal patient follow-up
Exposure to a wide variety of autoimmune encephalitis cases and other autoimmune and paraneoplastic syndromes
Research project opportunities
The program offers comprehensive exposure to neurological radiation oncology, enabling the fellow to understand the complete therapeutic journey of patients with central nervous system tumors:
Organization:
Minimum bi-monthly participation in radiation oncology clinics
Exposure to primary and metastatic central nervous system tumor cases
Complete learning of the radiotherapy process:
Initial diagnostic evaluation
Detailed treatment planning
Observation of radiotherapy sessions
Follow-up of patients during treatment
This training allows the fellow to:
Understand the indications and contraindications of radiotherapy
Master treatment planning principles
Become familiar with potential side effects
Develop a comprehensive understanding of the neuro-oncology patient trajectory
The program offers comprehensive exposure to various neurosurgical oncology techniques, essential for a global understanding of patient care:
Organization:
Minimum bi-monthly participation in neurosurgical oncology days
Direct observation in the operating room
Exposure to advanced surgical techniques:
Awake surgery
Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT)
Tumor-associated epilepsy surgery
Other innovative techniques for tumor diagnosis and resection
This exposure allows the fellow to:
Understand surgical indications
Become familiar with different technical approaches
Appreciate surgical challenges and considerations
Better anticipate post-operative management
The program offers personalized exposure to tumor neuropathology, under the supervision of Drs. Cayrol and Gray:
Organization:
Regular sessions tailored to fellow's interests
Direct exposure to the neuropathology laboratory
Learning the complete diagnostic process:
Conventional histological techniques
Advanced molecular analyses
Clinicopathological correlations
Integrated result interpretation
Participation in tumor boards
This training allows the fellow to:
Understand histological diagnostic criteria
Become familiar with essential molecular markers
Appreciate the importance of integrating clinicopathological data
Actively participate in diagnostic discussions
The program offers specialized training in pediatric neuro-oncology at CHU Sainte-Justine, a recognized center of excellence in the treatment of pediatric brain tumors:
Organization:
Training supervised by Dr. Sébastien Perreault, world-renowned in pediatric neuro-oncology
Clinical exposure within a quaternary pediatric center
Participation in specialized clinics and tumor boards
Comprehensive learning including:
Diagnosis of pediatric brain tumors
Specificities of pediatric care
Developmental considerations
Age-appropriate therapeutic approaches
Long-term survivor follow-up
This rotation allows the fellow to:
Understand the unique characteristics of pediatric tumors
Master specific treatment protocols
Become familiar with issues specific to the pediatric population
Develop expertise in the transition to adult care
Be prepared to receive patients during the pediatric to adult transition
For more information: www.chusj.org/soins-services/N/Neuro-oncologie