Learning Objectives

CAGPO 2016 Conference General Learning Objective

At the completion of this conference, the participant will have acquired knowledge regarding:
  • The standard of care in the treatment of metastatic Non-small cell lung cancer pertaining to oral targeted therapies;
  • The treatment of metastatic melanoma with immune-targeted therapies;
  • Evidence-based follow-up protocols for patients who have received adjuvant therapy for breast, lung, colon, rectum and gynecological cancers;
  • Issues related to physician assisted death;
  • Alternative and complementary therapies usage amongst oncology patients;
  • Bisphosphonate usage in the adjuvant and metastatic setting;
  • The role of exercise in oncology patients;
  • Challenging thrombosis scenarios in oncology patients receiving treatment;
  • Recent advances in breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancer treatment;
  • Practice changing data from ASCO 2016;
  • An approach to the management of brain metastases, including resection;
  • Genetics and the oncology patient.

CAGPO 2016 Specific Topic Learning Objectives

1. Physician Assisted Death
  • Review the Supreme Court of Canada ruling regarding Physician Assisted Death - what does this mean for MDs;
  • Review provincial responses;
  • Suggest options regarding how an MD should approach a patient’s request for assisted death.
2. Metastatic Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer
  • Review how oral targeted therapies are utilized in the treatment of metastatic lung cancer;
  • Discuss when and how pathological testing should be done; how accurate is it in directing therapy;
  • Discuss how to monitor for toxicities:  the most common and the most serious toxicities;
  • Briefly discuss any present and future role for immunotherapy.
3. Immunotherapy and Metastatic Melanoma
  • Briefly review the mechanism of action of immunotherapy-based drugs used in the treatment of metastatic melanoma;
  • Discuss the benefits and risks of this class of drugs;
  • Review the major toxicities: how one should monitor patients; how and when an MD should dose reduce/delay or discontinue treatment;
  • Update attendees on which other disease sites immunotherapy is being studied.
4. Adjuvant Follow-up Protocols
  • Using a case based approach, review the relevant evidence-based guidelines for existing follow-up protocols in lung, breast, colon and rectum, and gynecological cancers.
5. Ovarian Cancer
  • Provide an overview of the state of care for the newly diagnosed patient with ovarian cancer;
  • Discuss the “fallopian tube” issue;
  • Review systemic therapy including which patients are considered for IP chemotherapy (highlight the BC experience);
  • Discuss the role of bebulking surgery.
6. Clinical Management of Brain Metastases
  • Discuss the typical presentation for brain metastases including which primaries most commonly metastasize to brain;
  • Discuss how the decision is made regarding which patients are surgical candidates;
  • Discuss the issue of single versus multiple metastases and what scenarios a patient with multiple metastases should still be considered for surgical resection (for 1 or more metastases).
7. Pancreatic Cancer
  • Discuss systemic therapy options in the metastatic setting;
  • Discuss the role for palliative radiation;
  • Include relevant genetic issues;
  • Briefly review adjuvant systemic therapy and the potential role/benefit of radiation.
8. Genetics in Oncology
  • Discuss the change in focus from testing for isolated genes to testing gene panels; discuss the benefits and complexities;
  • Discuss the most common syndromes that a GPO should be familiar with;
  • Discuss treatment-focused genetic testing.
9. ASCO Update
  • Present 4 practice-changing presentations from ASCO 2016 and how they will affect practice now and in the near future.
10. Thrombosis in Oncology
  • This presentation will focus on challenging cases in oncology;
  • The speaker will be provided with real-life cases a GPO will see in clinic.
11. Alternatives Therapies
  • Present an approach to addressing the use of complementary and alternative therapies, including the unique concerns that arise during concurrent use during chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other oral therapies;
  • Discuss common “pitfalls” and “redflags”;
  • Suggest resources that the GPO can utilize.
12. Excercise and Cancer
  • Present results from studies looking at the potential benefits of exercise, including exercise during systemic therapy;
  • Provide recommendations regarding types and amounts of exercise a GPO should recommend to patients;
  • Provide recommendations regarding existing programs that patients can access;
  • Suggest online resources that GPOs can recommend.
13. Bone Health and Cancer
  • Overview the use of bisphosphonates in oncology patients, including the adjuvant and metastatic settings;
  • Discuss monitoring: what, how and when;
  • Discuss issues surrounding dental clearances and dental complications;
  • Review the advent of bone health clinics.
14. Breast Cancer
  • Discuss the recent advances in breast cancer care that are affecting practice in the clinic now or in the near future;
  • Divide the presentation into 3 segments: systemic IV therapy; oral therapies (focus on targeted therapies –single agent and combination therapies); immunotherapy (what will we see in the near future).