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June 22 - June 29,2003 |
Forging new paths in cancer treatment
Italian-Canadian Dr. Denny De Petrillo on his work in gynecologic oncology
By Nancy MacLeod
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Dr. Denny De Petrillo
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Dr. Denny De Petrillo is a leading authority on the treatment of cancer, particularly in his area of specialty, gynecologic-oncology. One of the first gynecologic oncologists in Canada, his career has coincided with the development of the specialty. In addition to being at the forefront of instituting integrated care in cancer, writing numerous papers and other works often dealing with the psychosexual rehabilitation of patients, he has headed various gynecologic and surgical oncology departments at leading hospitals and cancer centres in Ontario.
His work has taken him throughout the world as a speaker, consultant and lecturer. Currently Dr. De Petrillo is a professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Surgery as well as sub-specialty fellowship program director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Toronto. He is also the Vice President of Medical Affairs for Comprehensive Care International, and sits on many medical boards and committees, including being Chair of the Surgical Oncology Policy Advisory Committee for the Canadian Association of Provincial Cancer Agencies.
The Toronto native was born to Italian parents, his father coming here from Montecasino at the age of 17, his mother from a town on the Mediterranean at age 14. "They actually met in Canada," he says from his office at Princess Margaret Hospital. "My mother became a seamstress. My father, (who) just died at the age of 91, became a barber. After the war he started to call his Italian cousins and colleagues over and got them jobs. So the whole Italian immigration population really came from people like my dad who were instrumental in bringing thousands of Italians over."
De Petrillo received his medical degree from the University of Ottawa in 1966, then did his post-graduate internship at Toronto's St. Joseph Hospital with the intent to specialize in orthopedics, but plans soon changed. During his internship he had the opportunity to explore other specialties. "In those days you had a rotating internship," he explains. "A rotating internship means you take one or two months on each specialty, like pediatrics, internal medicine and general surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology."
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