Dr. Sympascho Young
Affiliations
Clinical Assistant Professor
Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Oncology
Radiation Oncologist
Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre
Member
Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute
Contact information
Preferred method of communication
Administrative Assistant
Mariebel Baniqued
Email: mariebel.baniqued@cancercarealberta.ca
Office: 587.231.6113
Background
Biography
Dr. Young is a radiation oncologist at Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre, and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Oncology at the University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine. He completed an undergraduate degree with a double-major in Biochemistry and Global Health at the University of Toronto, graduating with high distinction. He obtained his MD at the University of British Columbia and completed his residency Radiation Oncology and FRCPC at Western University, followed by Fellowship training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. His clinical practice and research interests are in Genitourinary and Head and Neck cancers.
Research
Areas of Research
- Role of precision molecular imaging and biomarkers, such as prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT, to guide targeted treatment intensification for people with genitourinary cancers
- Application of advanced precision radiotherapy techniques, such as stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR/SBRT), adaptive MR-LINAC (MRL), and personalized ultrafractionated stereotactic adaptive radiotherapy (PULSAR) in novel cancer indications
- Investigating personalized biomarker and artificial intelligence-driven radiotherapy de-escalation strategies for people with head and neck cancers to decrease toxicities and improve long-term quality of life, while maintaining high cure rates
Radiotherapy is a cornerstone of cancer care, but treatments are often given in the same way for every patient. Dr. Young's research aims to make radiotherapy more precise, personalized, and less toxic, while improving cure rates. His work focuses on three complementary areas:
Advanced precision and personalized radiotherapy. Dr. Young studies the application of advanced radiotherapy techniques, such as stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR/SBRT), MR-LINAC (MRL), and adaptive radiotherapy in a personalized approach in both genitourinary and head and neck cancers. These approaches may allow more effective and better-tolerated care, with a focus on preserving organ function and quality of life.
Precision molecular imaging in genitourinary cancers. Dr. Young studies how molecular imaging, such as PSMA PET/CT and other biomarkers, can identify patients who benefit from targeted treatment intensification to improve cure rates. He aims to refine how imaging-based and molecular information is integrated into radiotherapy decisions, and to explore the expanding role of theranostics in genitourinary cancers.
Combining radiotherapy with immunotherapy. Immunotherapy helps the body's own immune system fight cancer, but it does not work for everyone, and radiation can either support or interfere with it. Lymph nodes are where immune responses are launched, so treating them unnecessarily may weaken the effect of immunotherapy. Dr. Young studies new radiotherapy strategies that protect the immune system, such as limiting irradiation of elective lymph node areas in head and neck cancers. He also investigates personalized ultrafractionated stereotactic adaptive radiotherapy (PULSAR) and other novel radiotherapy techniques to create an “in situ vaccine” by turning a patient's own tumor into a personalized source of tumor antigens to trigger a systemic immune response.
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