Dr. David Palma, MD, PhD is a Radiation Oncologist at the London Health Sciences Center and Clinician-Scientist with the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. He holds a BScH in Life Sciences (Queen’s University), an MD (Western University), Master’s in Epidemiology (Harvard School of Public Health) and a PhD from the VU University in Amsterdam. He completed his Radiation Oncology residency in Vancouver, Canada. Dr. Palma’s clinical practice focuses on the treatment of lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and oligometastatic disease. He is the author of the national bestseller Taking Charge of Cancer: What You Need to Know to Get the Best Treatment and founder of the patient website www.qualitycancertreatment.com
Dr. Palma’s research focuses on clinical trials and other types of comparative effectiveness research. He is the founder and chair of the Canadian Pulmonary Radiotherapy Investigators (CAPRI) Group, with the purpose of quickly launching and complete trials evaluating cutting-edge radiation technologies in the treatment of lung cancer. Some of Dr. Palma’s clinical trials include:
Trainees working under Dr. Palma’s supervision or co-supervision have led projects on a wide range of research topics, including:
Most of the trainees working with Dr. Palma are residents or fellows in the Radiation Oncology Program at Western University. For more details about applying, see our Postgraduate Webpage.
Dr. Palma’s research focuses on clinical trials and other types of comparative effectiveness research. He is the founder and chair of the Canadian Pulmonary Radiotherapy Investigators (CAPRI) Group, with the purpose of quickly launching and complete trials evaluating cutting-edge radiation technologies in the treatment of lung cancer. Some of Dr. Palma’s clinical trials include:
- The SABR-COMET randomized trial study evaluating stereotactic radiation for oligometastatic cancers.
- The ORATOR randomized trial comparing robotic surgery vs. intensity modulated radiotherapy for cancers of the oropharynx (base of tongue and tonsils).
- The MISSILE trial, evaluating the pathologic complete response rate after stereotactic radiation for early lung cancer.
- The ASPIRE-ILD trial, evaluating the use of stereotactic radiation in patients with interstitial lung disease and early lung cancer.
Trainees working under Dr. Palma’s supervision or co-supervision have led projects on a wide range of research topics, including:
- Radiomics for assessment of outcomes after stereotactic radiation for lung cancer
- Development, implementation, and evaluation of an international Anatomy and Radiology Contouring Bootcamp for Radiation Oncology Residents (which continues as an in-person and online course – see www.arcbootcamp.com)
- Treatment of oligometastatic disease
- Systematic reviews and meta-analysis covering several topics in radiation oncology
Most of the trainees working with Dr. Palma are residents or fellows in the Radiation Oncology Program at Western University. For more details about applying, see our Postgraduate Webpage.