Medical Reports: Targeting Tumors

WSVN -- Mendel Goran's voice is weak from bouts of chemotherapy, but his will to beat cancer remains strong.

Mendel Goran: "I have a lot of faith in God, very religious person. I have no problems this is just a test from God."

Mendel has colo-rectal cancer, which spread to his liver. Liver cancer is a tough one for doctors. Traditional radiation shrinks the tumors, but often does more harm than good.

Dr. Seza Gulec: "It's practically impossible to give enough external radiation to kill the tumors without damaging the healthy liver."

Dr. Seza Gulec and his team of researchers at Florida International University are changing that with groundbreaking technology.

It's called selective internal radiation treatment or SIRT, it uses millions of microscopic radioactive beads called micro-spheres delivered through a catheter directly to the liver to kill the tumors.

Dr. Seza Gulec: "The microspheres are administered, injected into the blood vessel that goes to the liver."

Scientists are able to calculate an exact dosage for each individual patient.

Dr. Seza Gulec: "Now we can deliver high enough radiation to kill the cancer without damaging the liver."

The good news for patients, side effects are minimal. It usually requires just one treatment and the procedure can be used to shrink tumors before chemotherapy or surgery.

Mendel Goran: "We're very excited and we're very happy with the results."

Mendel has had one treatment and is cancer free. He knows it's not necessarily a cure, but with his family and faith keeping him going he's hopeful for a healthy and happy future.

Mendel Goran: "I do have a very deep faith, I am not scared."

Diana Diaz: "Dr. Gulec and his team have successfully treated about 250 patients. So far they hope to expand their research to treat other cancers."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Dr. Seza Gulec
Surgical Oncology
Jackson North Medical Center
North Park Professional Building
Suite 410
100 NW 170th Street
North Miami Beach, FL
33169
Tel: (305) 654-6850

FIU Department of Biomedical Engineering
www.bme.fiu.edu