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Dive into the research topics where Rashmi Koul is active.

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Featured researches published by Rashmi Koul.


Cureus | 2015

Small Cell Cancer of the Bladder and Prostate: A Retrospective Review from a Tertiary Cancer Center

Shahida Ahmed; Sam Neufeld; Tadeusz Kroczak; Bashir Bashir; Naseer Ahmed; Piotr Czaykowski; Ibrahim Aljada; Rashmi Koul; Katie Galloway; Darrel Drachenberg

Background: Genitourinary small cell cancer (GUSCC) is a rare malignancy. Most of the published data on how to manage this malignancy is based on institutional experience. We undertook the current retrospective review to determine the outcome of the patients with GUSCC treated at CancerCare Manitoba, Canada over a period of 18 years. Methods: The Manitoba Cancer Registry was used to identify patients with a confirmed pathological diagnosis of small cell cancer (SCC) of the bladder or prostate between January 1, 1995, and October 31, 2013. Results: There were 42 patients identified, 28 bladder SCC (17 limited, 11 extensive stage) and 14 prostate SCC (one limited, 12 extensive, and one unknown stage). The median age was 70.7 years. There were 22 patients who were treated with chemotherapy and radiation, five received radiation only, four received chemo only, nine did not receive any treatment, one patient had surgery only, and one had surgery and radiation. The median and one-year overall survival for all patients was 10.7 months and 43%. The median and one-year overall survival of SCC of the bladder was 55.1 months and 71% for the limited stage and 10.1 months and 36% for the extensive stage. The median and one-year overall survival for extensive stage SCC of the prostate was 4.1 months and 17%. There was only one patient with limited stage SCC of the prostate who did not receive any treatment and died of progressive disease 11 months from diagnosis. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that patients with limited stage SCC of the bladder can have a surprisingly good outcome with multimodality treatment. The outcome of the patients with extensive stage SCC of the bladder and prostate remains dismal and optimal therapeutic options have yet to be determined.


Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences | 2015

Diagnosis and Management of Spinal Metastasis of Glioblastoma.

Patricia Tai; Arbind Dubey; Muhammad Salim; Khanh Vu; Rashmi Koul

BACKGROUND When patients with cranial glioblastoma develop weakness, a rare differential diagnosis is spinal metastases. METHODS Chart and literature reviews were performed. RESULTS The reported patient had delayed onset spinal drop metastasis that was only detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 48-year-old patient had supratentorial glioblastoma, treated with radiotherapy (RT) and concurrent temozolomide followed by six cycles of adjuvant temozolomide. Four years after completion of all treatments (62 months from initial presentation), he developed low backache and weakness in both legs. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography scans demonstrated intracranial recurrence only. Spinal drop metastases were detected only by MRI scan. Local spinal RT 40 Gy in 20 fractions with concurrent and maintenance temozolomide were given. Because of disease progression after nine cycles of temozolomide, systemic therapy was changed to bevacizumab, which greatly improved his symptoms for 4 months before deterioration of mental status. He is still alive with disease at 22 months after diagnosis of spinal metastases (84 months from initial glioblastoma diagnosis). CONCLUSIONS MRI is the diagnostic imaging of choice for spinal metastases. This illustrative case of delayed-onset spinal metastases shows unusual slow progression. Local RT, temozolomide, and targeted therapy may improve survival. This illustrative case is the first report of bevacizumab as a second-line therapy in drop metastasis of glioblastoma.


International Journal of Radiology & Radiation Therapy | 2017

Emotional Turmoil in Oncology Patients

Rashmi Koul; Arbind Dubey; Reem Al Omran; Patricia Tai

Emotional turmoil is a negative mental state involving feelings of panic, confusion and agitation. People experiencing emotional turmoil feel physically and mentally unwell which results in difficulty making decisions cancer diagnosis is hard to take and having cancer is not easy. As the patient face their own mortality and cope with the many demands of cancer, often patient and their families look at their religious beliefs, personal and family values.Literature has shown that at least 70-75% of the oncology patients will be exposed to some sort of psychological or emotional shut down mainly depression during their journey from diagnosis to follow up. The main reason is anxiety, fear of the unknown, pain, suffering and fear of death. In the literature it seems most oncological patients do not have clarity about their disease or what is squeal of their disease or treatment offered. Clinical practice guidelines established by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommend that all oncological patients should undergo routine screening for distress when they report first time and at important points in their disease or treatment process. Recommendations highlights that oncology team adopts approved distress assessment tools available today for screenings and scientifically proven clinical pathways upon assessment results.


International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics | 2017

Analysis of First Case Series in the World of Skin Cancer Patients Where Lead Shielding for Radiation Therapy of Facial Skin Cancer was Designed Utilizing Optical Scanner and 3D Printer Technology

A. Dubey; Ankur Sharma; Ahmet Leylek; D. Rickey; D. Sasaki; Chad Harris; B McCurdy; Rashmi Koul

Purpose Radiation is one of the modalities used to treat non-melanoma skin cancers. For facial lesions; ortho-voltage radiotherapy (RT) can require the creation of lead shielding to protect vulnerable organs at risk (OAR). Creating a lead shield is often difficult due to the complex contours of the face. The traditional method involves creating a plaster mould of a patients face to use as a template for creating a shield. This requires another patient visit, and for patients who are claustrophobic or medically unable to lie flat, this strategy is not ideal. We address this by utilizing optical scanner and 3D printer technology to create lead shields and report the first case series in the English literature here.


Cureus | 2017

Targeting the Tumor: Assessing the Impact of Bladder Volume and Position on Accuracy of Radiation Delivery for Patients with Bladder Cancer

Andrew Kochan; Ryan Rivest; Katie Galloway; Pascal Lambert; Aldrich Ong; Rashmi Koul; Shahida Ahmed; Bashir Bashir; Harvey Quon

Context Daily variations in bladder size and position can negatively impact the ability to accurately deliver radiation. Aims We attempted to quantify how bladder volumes and positions change over the course of radiotherapy for muscle invasive bladder cancer and the planning target volume (PTV) margins required to account for such changes. Methods and material Cone-beam computed tomography (CT) images of 28 patients during their first, second, and third fractions and weekly thereafter were acquired. Bladders were contoured and the volume, centre of mass, and the maximal positions were recorded and compared to the planning CT scan. Statistical analysis Bladder parameters were analysed using regression analysis examining for time trends and correlation to the patient, tumour, or treatment-related factors. Results There was great variability in the mean bladder volumes during the radiotherapy courses (154.17 +/- 129.38 cm3). There were no statistically significant trends for volume changes. Deviations in bladder positions were seen but were small in magnitude. No patient factors were identified which could help predict bladder changes clinically. Bladder variability resulted in a high percentage of fractions (39.6%) in which part of the bladder was outside the PTV. Calculated PTV margins (for 90% of the population to receive 95% of the prescription dose) were 1.48 cm right, 1.15 cm left, 2.13 cm posterior, 1.52 cm anterior, 2.23 cm superior, and 0.52 cm inferior. Conclusions Because of random bladder changes, a significant number of fractions were treated in which the clinical target volume (CTV) fell outside of the PTV. Methods to minimize the amount of CTV that is missed on a fraction to fraction basis should be explored.


Radiotherapy and Oncology | 2016

74: Innovative Approach for Generating Soft Silicone Bolus using 3D Printing for Electron Treatment of Skin Cancers in Areas with Irregular Contours

Kate Johnson; Arbind Dubey; David Sasaki; Daniel Rickey; Chad Harris; Todd Boyer; James J. Butler; Ahmet Leylek; Ankur Sharma; Rashmi Koul

S29 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ cardiac four-dimensional CT (4D-CT) synchronized to the electrocardiogram were obtained in treatment position, using a prospective sequential acquisition method including the extreme phases of systole and diastole. On a MimVista® image registration workstation, dose distributions were transferred to the cardiac 4D-CT. The left coronary artery, left ventricle and heart were contoured on both phases of the cardiac cycle. The maximum and minimum doses to the left coronary, left ventricle and heart were compared using a bilateral paired Student T test. Results: Preliminary data from the first eight patients enrolled are presented. Median age was 60 years (56-71) and median planned dose to the left breast was 42.56 Gy (42.56-50) in 16 fractions (16-20). For the left coronary artery, mean dose, V5 and V20 in systole versus diastole were 6.1 Gy versus 7.9 Gy (p = 0.02), 37% versus 48% (p = 0.02) and 10% versus 16% (p = 0.04), respectively. For the left ventricle, mean dose, V5 and V20 in systole versus diastole were 1.3 Gy versus 1.6 Gy (p = 0.005), 6% versus 9% (p = 0.03) and 1% versus 2% (p > 0.1), respectively. For the whole heart, mean dose, V5 and V20 in systole versus diastole were 0.9 Gy versus 1.3 Gy (p = 0.005), 21 cc versus 32 cc (p = 0.07) and 4 cc versus 5 cc (p > 0.1), respectively. Conclusions: Beyond DIBH, systolic irradiation would be associated with a further reduction in V5, V20 and mean dose to the left coronary artery, as well as a reduction in V5 and mean dose to the left ventricle and heart as a whole. The potential clinical impact of this reduction as well as the feasibility of cardiac gated irradiation are to be further investigated.


Radiotherapy and Oncology | 2016

218: Using 3D Printer Technology to Manufacture Anatomic Models for Patient Education: A New Frontier

Arbind Dubey; Alok Pathak; Ankur Sharma; Chad Harris; D. Rickey; David Sasaki; Rashmi Koul

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES The use of 3D printing technology to create precise anatomical models is well documented. These models are used by surgeons to better plan upcoming operations and to save valuable operating room time. They are also used to educate other members of the health care team, such as residents, medical students and nurses. However, the use of these anatomically accurate models to educate patients in the clinical setting has been underutilized. At our centre, we are using 3D printer technology to generate accurate clinical models of mandibles. Our objective is to use these models to better educate and prepare head and neck cancer patients for upcoming surgery where manibulectomy is part of the surgical procedure. This has been used to educate 3 consecutive patients.


Medical Physics | 2016

Sci‐Sat AM: Radiation Dosimetry and Practical Therapy Solutions ‐ 07: A mould room in a box – 3D scanning and printing technology in the radiotherapy clinic

David Sasaki; Daniel Rickey; Arbind Dubey; Jorge E. Alpuche Aviles; Kate Johnson; Ankur Sharma; Ahmet Leylek; Chad Harris; Todd Boyer; Boyd McCurdy; Jim Butler; Rashmi Koul

Purpose: We describe the process by which our centre is currently implementing 3D printing and scanning technology for treatment accessory fabrication. This technology can increase efficiency and accuracy of accessory design, production and placement during daily use. Methods: A low-cost 3D printer and 3D optical scanner have been purchased and are being commissioned for clinical use. Commissioning includes assessing: the accuracy of the 3D scanner through comparison with high resolution CT images; the dosimetric characteristics of polylactic acid (PLA) for electron beams; the clinical utility of the technology, and; methods for quality assurance. Results: The agreement between meshes generated using the 3D scanner and CT data was within 2 millimeters for an anthropomorphic head phantom. In terms of electron beam attenuation, 1 centimetre of printed PLA was found equivalent to 1.17 cm of water. In proof-of-concept tests, several types of treatment accessories have been prototyped to date that will benefit from this technology. These include electron and photon bolus for areas with complex surface contours including the ear for electron treatments, the extremities for photon treatments and lead shielding for orthovoltage treatments. Imaging with CT and x-ray showed minimal defects, which will have no significant clinical impact. Geometric fidelity and fit to volunteers and patients was found to be excellent. Conclusions: 3D Printing and scanning can increase efficiency in the clinic for treatments requiring custom accessories. Customized boluses and shielding had excellent fit and reduced uncertainty in positioning.


Medical Physics | 2016

Sci-Sat AM: Radiation Dosimetry and Practical Therapy Solutions - 08: A Low-Cost Optical Scanner and Gantry for use with 3D Printing of Radiation Therapy Accessories

Daniel Rickey; David Sasaki; Arbind Dubey; Chad Harris; Kate Johnson; Andy Egtberts; Rashmi Koul

Purpose: Three-dimensional printing has been implemented at our institution to create customized treatment accessories including shielding and bolus. In order to effectively use 3D printing, the topography of the patient must first be acquired. To this end, we have evaluated a low-cost structured-light 3D scanner in order to assess the clinical viability of this technology. Methods: For ease of use, the scanner (3D Systems, Sense 3D Scanner) was mounted in a simple gantry that guided its motion and maintained an optimum distance between the scanner and the object. To characterise the spatial accuracy of the scanner, we used a geometric phantom and an anthropomorphic head phantom. The geometric phantom was machined from plastic and had overall dimensions of 24 cm by 15 cm and included a hemispherical and a tetrahedron protrusion roughly the dimensions of an average forehead and nose respectively. Meshes acquired by the optical scanner were compared to meshes generated from high-resolution CT images. Results: Scans were acquired in under one minute. Most of the optical scans contained noticeable artefacts although in most instances these were considered minor. Using an algorithm that calculated distances between the two meshes, we found most of the optical scanner measurements agreed with those from CT to within about 1 mm for the geometric phantom and to within about 2 mm for the head phantom. Conclusion: In summary, we deemed this scanner to be clinically acceptable and it has been used to design treatment accessories for several skin cancer patients.


Cureus | 2015

A Simplified Supine Technique Expedites the Delivery of Effective Craniospinal Radiation to Medulloblastoma - Comparison with Other Techniques in the Literature.

Patricia Tai; Rashmi Koul; Khanh Vu; Trent Edwards; Joseph Buwembo; Alisson R Teles; Muhammad Salim

A 28-year-old man presented to the emergency room with a severe headache of one days duration. A computerized tomography scan showed a hemorrhagic tumor measuring 3.9 x 4.4 cm in the left cerebellar hemisphere. The resection specimen revealed medulloblastoma. He had two episodes of rebleeding and multiple postoperative issues preventing the use of prone craniospinal radiotherapy. We designed a supine technique for this tall man, which was not complicated to set up. The rapid safe implementation of this technique allowed us to avoid further rebleeding and successfully treat the residual tumor. This technique is the described technique in this case report and is compared to other techniques. At 7.5 years after surgery, he is alive without cancer and with only a mild residual deficit. This case is unusual since the majority of patients with the diagnosis of hemorrhagic medulloblastoma died.

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Arbind Dubey

University of Saskatchewan

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Patricia Tai

University of Saskatchewan

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A. Dubey

University of Manitoba

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D. Rickey

University of Manitoba

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D. Sasaki

University of Manitoba

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David Sasaki

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

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Daniel Rickey

University of Western Ontario

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