2/23/07

Goshen Physician to Present in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Goshen, Ind. - Dr. Richard Hostetter, of the Center for Cancer Care in Goshen, will present at the International Symposium on Regional Cancer Therapies on Monday in Puerto Rico. The symposium is designed to cover the most recent advances in cancer therapy for physicians and nurses practicing oncology.

“It is an honor for our physicians to have the opportunity to present new cancer therapies to oncologists from around the world. This opportunity is a testament to our physicians who are researching new therapies to save lives,” said Paulette Brown, Vice President, Center for Cancer Care.

At the symposium, Dr. Hostetter will speak about the expanding role of a new cancer therapy being used at the Center for Cancer Care called microspheres. Microspheres are radioactive, microscopic beads that are delivered directly to the tumor through an artery. An advantage of microspheres is that they destroy the cancer from the inside out. A patient can receive a higher dose of radiation directly to the cancer with little damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

A clinical trial being conducted at the Center for Cancer Care combines the use of microspheres and chemotherapy. As a first response to patients with advanced liver cancer, the new combined therapy is expected to improve the patient's response to treatment. The hope is that once the cancer volume has been reduced, patients will become eligible for surgery, which can increase their chance of survival.

-more- Goshen Health System is a not-for-profit provider of health care that includes Goshen General Hospital, The Center for Cancer Care, Park Home Medical Equipment, PrimeCare Physician Network, Team:Bariatrics, The Retreat Women's Health Center and Indiana Lakes Managed Care Organization. The health system is an affiliate partner of Clarian Health, which includes Indiana University Hospital, Methodist Hospital of Indianapolis and Riley Hospital for Children.