Medical Reports: Cervical Savior

WSVN -- From old school, Alexander Graham Bell who invented the phone, to new wave, Apple who gave us the iPod and iPhone.

Inventions change our lives. Now, a University of Miami doctor has come up with his own invention that's saving lives.

Dr. Aaron Wolfson: "I felt there must be a better way of treating these patients."

Radiation Oncologist Aaron Wolfson, at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, developed this device called Gynocyte to kill cervical cancer. It's an implant that's easily inserted into the pelvis where it stays for three days and delivers radiation right to the cancer.

Dr. Aaron Wolfson: "The other good thing about this approach is it spares the normal tissue, like the bladder, rectum and bowel."

Gynocyte just won FDA approval, and the doctor hopes his new device will replace the old one that's been around for 40 years.

Dr. Aaron Wolfson: "The device that has been the standard for 40 years is very cumbersome to use. It's very difficult to insert into the patient. It can be very dangerous, and it can be done wrong."

The best part, in clinical trials Gynocyte seemed to do a better job at successfully killing the cancer.

Dr. Aaron Wolfson: "We have over a 90 percent success rate versus a 60 percent with the standard device."

Dorothy Smith was the first patient to try Gynocyte seven years ago. She had late-stage cervical cancer and had nothing to lose.

Dorothy Smith: "Due to the fact that I knew it was stage three, I was game."

Just weeks after the procedure, she got the news she was hoping and praying for.

Dorothy Smith: "They said, 'Dotti, you're cancer-free,' and that was a great feeling."

She is still cancer-free, and Dr. Wolfson hopes his invention will be a winner for many patients to come.

Richard Lemus: "Late stage cervical cancer patients will still need to undergo chemo and traditional external radiation. Gynocyte will hit the market at the beginning of next year."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Bio-Nucleonics
http://www.bionucleonics.com/
Dr. Aaron Wolfson
UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center