Latest news with #CHUM
CTV News
a day ago
- Health
- CTV News
Access to ‘freezing' breast cancer treatment expanding at Montreal hospital
Cryoablation, offered for the first time in Quebec at the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) since last year, is now available to a larger number of breast cancer patients, according to The Canadian Press. Initially reserved for patients with tumours measuring no more than 1.5 centimetres, this innovative cold ablation technique can now sometimes be used to reduce the size of larger tumours and prevent complications. Dr. Matthew Seidler, head of breast imaging at the CHUM's radiology department, said that left alone, a tumour will continue to grow to the point where it can cause pain and even break through the skin and become infected. 'This is really difficult to manage, especially for an elderly patient who is at the end of their life,' he explained. 'In some cases, we can now offer cryoablation as a palliative treatment to reduce the size of the tumour so that it causes fewer symptoms.' Cryoablation involves 'freezing' the cancerous tumour using an ultra-fine needle. The procedure, which is performed under local anesthetic, leaves virtually no scarring, and the patient is usually discharged the same day. Rapid freezing at -40 degrees Celsius and subsequent thawing cause a cascade of cell deaths that can destroy the tumour. Not only does the cold cause the cancer cells to die, but it also triggers the expression of tumour antigens that are then recognized by the human body, causing an inflammatory response by the immune system. In the context of breast cancer, Seidler pointed out that 'it is not necessarily the tumour in the breast that kills patients, but when the patient develops metastases,' and the disease spreads elsewhere. When the tumour is small, he added, we can be reasonably certain that it will be completely frozen. But with a larger tumour, 'it is more difficult to be sure that the tumour is completely enclosed by our ice cube and ... there is a risk of residual disease.' 'In a situation like this, the goal is rather to reduce the tumour burden to avoid complications,' explained Dr Seidler. In 2025, he added, breast cancer treatment involves an 'arsenal' of therapies – surgery, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, etc. – as a 'multidisciplinary approach' often yields the 'best results.' 'The treatments have a synergistic effect,' said Seidler. 'It's always better to combine treatments when possible.' The recently unveiled results of the ICE3 clinical trial support this. The data reveal that 3.6 per cent of the 194 patients treated with cryoablation had relapsed after five years, 'which is still very good,' said Seidler. The relapse rate was only 2.6 per cent among patients who received adjuvant therapy in addition to cryoablation. 'It's statistics like these that encourage me to explain to my patients that yes, cryoablation can be a good option, but ideally it should be combined with other treatments if possible,' said Seidler. That said, cryoablation remains a new technique, and the scientific literature on it is sparse compared to that available for other treatments. It's important to raise awareness among the medical community, treat more patients to gain experience, and generate data that will reveal whether the technique can be extended 'to other indications,' said Seidler. 'I hope that in a year's time we will be able to offer this treatment to even more patients,' he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French June 5, 2025.
CTV News
22-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Staff at Montreal hospital say they have to ration Kleenex due to budget constraints
The main entrance to the new CHUM hospital amphitheatre is shown in Montreal, Tuesday, May 25, 2021. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)
CTV News
07-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
CAQ still unsure when it will reach target of seeing emergency room patients within 90 minutes
The Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), photographed in Montreal on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. At the beginning of March, Santé Québec noted that the situation in emergency rooms had stabilized, and even improved in some regions. (The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes)
Associated Press
12-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Sofidel Partners with CHUM and Goodwill to Support Local Communities
Duluth, MN, February 12, 2025 /3BL/ – Sofidel USA is proud to announce a successful partnership with two local organizations, CHUM (Churches United in Ministry) and Goodwill, to support those in need in the Duluth community. This collaborative effort has enabled the donation of essential hygiene products to local families and individuals in need. The journey began when Sofidel's Circleville mill shipped eight pallets of Sofidel toilet tissue, hard wound towels, and kitchen towels to the Duluth Mill. Recognizing the importance of these products for residents, Sofidel reached out to CHUM, offering the donation. CHUM expressed immense gratitude for the generous gesture but quickly realized that coordinating the logistics for such a large donation would be a challenge. In response, CHUM turned to Goodwill for assistance. Goodwill, always committed to helping those in need, stepped in to offer storage space for the products and provided transportation services from Sofidel's Circleville mill to their warehouse. Once stored, Goodwill will ensure that the products are distributed to a variety of CHUM programs, including St. Francis Apartments, the Drop-In Center, and the emergency shelter program for families and individuals. 'We are incredibly grateful to Sofidel, CHUM, and Goodwill for their collaboration in helping us provide essential hygiene products to those who need them most,' said Tim Solomon, a key member of the loading team at Sofidel. 'It was a true team effort, and we are honored to have played a part in supporting our local community.' This partnership highlights the power of community collaboration and the positive impact that can be made when local organizations come together to address the needs of those facing hardship. Sofidel is committed to continuing its support of local initiatives and is proud to work alongside organizations like CHUM and Goodwill to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need. About Sofidel The Sofidel Group, a privately held company, is a world leader in the manufacture of paper for hygienic and domestic use. Founded in 1966, the Group has subsidiaries in 13 countries – Italy, Spain, the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Greece, Romania, and the USA - with more than 6,800 employees. A member of the UN Global Compact, the Sofidel Group considers sustainability a strategic imperative and is committed to promoting sustainable development. For more information, visit
