Cardiac Tumour Conference: Creating Silos of Excellence

With only a few hundred cases in the world, primary cardiac tumours are among the rarest types of tumours in the world. As such, it is common that even the most experienced cardiac surgeons may go their entire career without encountering a case. This reality has left a critical gap in knowledge amongst the various specialties concerned with the treatment of these tumours. Dr. R.J. Cusimano, one of Canada’s leading cardiac surgeons, will work to close that gap at the third Cardiac Tumour Conference in Toronto this January.

“The goal of these conferences is to help people create silos of excellence around the world,” says Dr. Cusimano.

Too often, physicians who discover cardiac tumours are simply unaware of where to direct their patient for the care they need. Establishing credible and active clusters of experts in different areas of the world will not only help to raise awareness about these rare tumours, but also offer patients and healthcare providers with a valuable resource. Early signs from the previous two Cardiac Tumour Conference suggest that Dr. Cusimano and his colleagues are well on their way to achieving this goal.

“There’s been an improved amount of information and knowledge regarding cardiac tumours and the inter-dependency of different specialties in their assessment and treatment. (Since the last conference) there have been people from all over Canada calling, even people from Europe calling, asking questions” says Cusimano.

The focus this year will be on cardiac myxomas, the most common type of cardiac tumours among adults. Attendees will gain an understanding of the pathology and genetics of myxoma, while also examining challenging cases, both with respect to patients and diagnosis. The third Cardiac Tumour Conference takes place on Thursday, January 25, 2018. Participants can attend in person or via webcast.

Visit the conference website for more details.