Dr. Seza Gulec, MD is a Surgical Oncologist specializing in the comprehensive care of older adults facing cancer diagnoses. He is dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive oncological care for seniors at HCA Florida Miami Dade Surgical Specialists - Biscayne in Aventura, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine. As a partner in their health journey, Dr. Gulec practices under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), and collaborates with primary care physicians and other specialists to manage complex conditions and develop personalized treatment plans. He expertly addresses common cancers affecting seniors, such as breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, lymphoma, and leukemia.
A general oncologist, Dr. Gulec provides expert medical care for older adults (65+) with common cancers. His approach is patient-centered, utilizing cutting-edge technology to offer less invasive surgical solutions, prioritizing healing and enabling patients to maintain their quality of life. With over 40 years of dedicated experience in oncological care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from Ankara University College Of Medicine in 1984 and is Board Certified in General Surgery by the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons, and Board Certified in General Surgery by the American Board of Surgery, and Board Certified in Nuclear Medicine by the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Gulec is currently welcoming new patients and accepting telehealth visits. Please call (321) 373-3405 to schedule an appointment. He also offers consultations in Turkish.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Seza Gulec is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Gulec is a compassionate and dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, providing comprehensive oncological care for a range of conditions like breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, lymphoma, and leukemia. He collaborates closely with primary care physicians and other specialists to develop personalized treatment plans, focusing on the unique needs and goals of each patient and their families, ensuring the best possible outcomes and maintaining the highest quality of life.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Seza Gulec can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Cigna
CorVel
Curative
Humana
WellCare
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Buckeye Community Health Plan
- Care Plus
- Clover Health
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- EmblemHealth
- Health Net
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Midwest Health Plan
- Molina
- Molina Healthcare
- Preferred
- Prestige
- Tricare
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Seza Gulec provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Nodular Sclerosis Hodgkins Lymphoma: Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of blood cancer where specific immune cells grow abnormally, but with proper treatment like chemotherapy or radiation, many seniors can achieve remission and maintain a good quality of life.
- Malignant Pituitary Gland Tumor: A malignant pituitary tumor is a serious but treatable cancer affecting the pituitary gland, a vital part of the brain, and treatment aims to slow or stop the tumor's growth while preserving essential bodily functions to ensure the senior's comfort and well-being.
- Upper Digestive Tract Cancer: For seniors diagnosed with cancer in their upper digestive tract, specialized medical care focuses on relieving symptoms, improving nutrition, and providing the best possible quality of life during and after treatment.
- Salivary Gland Cancer: Salivary gland cancer is a relatively uncommon type of cancer that develops in the glands that produce saliva, and treatment, often involving surgery and radiation, aims to remove the cancer and preserve function, improving comfort and quality of life.
- Breast Carcinoma: Breast carcinoma is a form of cancer affecting the breast, and while it can be concerning, many effective treatments help manage symptoms, allowing you to continue participating in the activities you enjoy.
- Head and Neck Cancer: If diagnosed with head and neck cancer, you'll work with a team of doctors to create a personalized treatment planoften including surgery, radiation, or chemotherapyaimed at the best possible outcomes and improved quality of life.
- Laryngeal Cancer: Laryngeal cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the voice box (larynx), and treatment, often involving surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy, can help manage symptoms and preserve your ability to speak and swallow.
- Hypothalamus Cancer: A tumor in the hypothalamus, a vital part of the brain, can disrupt hormone balance and everyday life, however, medical professionals work to control symptoms through various treatment approaches tailored to the individual's needs and condition.
- Esophageal Cancer: Esophageal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the tube connecting your mouth and stomach, causing difficulty swallowing. However, treatment plans, often involving a combination of surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy, aim to make eating easier and improve your overall comfort and wellbeing.
- Thyroid Carcinoma: Thyroid carcinoma is a cancer affecting the thyroid gland, but with appropriate medical care, including tailored treatment plans, you can live a full and comfortable life.
- Metastatic Breast Cancer: Metastatic breast cancer signifies that the cancer has traveled beyond the breast, but treatments like targeted therapy and hormonal therapy are designed to help you live well with this condition.
- Metastatic Respiratory System Cancer: When lung cancer or another respiratory cancer spreads, it's called metastatic respiratory system cancer. Treatment focuses on slowing the cancer's growth, easing symptoms, and helping you maintain your comfort and independence for as long as possible.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Seza Gulec offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Biopsy of Breast: To ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of any breast abnormalities, a biopsy helps doctors determine if a suspicious lump or area is cancerous.
- Excision of Bile Duct Tumor: This surgery helps remove a bile duct tumor, improving symptoms and allowing doctors to assess the cancer's extent for better treatment decisions in senior patients.
- Excision of Breast Tumor: Surgical removal of a breast tumor is a crucial step in diagnosing and managing breast cancer, helping determine the cancer's stage and guiding further treatment.
- Laparoscopic Liver Tumor Ablation: For seniors diagnosed with liver cancer, laparoscopic liver tumor ablation offers a less invasive surgical option to manage the tumor and potentially improve their quality of life.
- Lumpectomy: A lumpectomy is a surgery to remove a cancerous tumor and a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue from the breast, helping to manage breast cancer while preserving as much breast tissue as possible.
- Lymph Node Biopsy or Excision: A lymph node biopsy or excision is a procedure to remove a lymph node for examination under a microscope, helping doctors determine if cancer has spread.
- Pancreatectomy (incl. Pancreas Transplant and Whipple Procedure): For seniors diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a pancreatectomy (which includes the Whipple procedure) can be a life-saving surgical treatment to remove the cancerous tissue.
- Port Placements or Replacements: Replacing a malfunctioning port ensures continued, uninterrupted delivery of vital cancer treatments like chemotherapy or medication, supporting the senior's care plan.
- Salpingo Oopherectomy: This procedure, salpingo-oophorectomy, involves the surgical removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, which can be part of a preventative strategy or a treatment for certain cancers.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Oncology in Florida.
Dr. Seza Gulec is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- With the oncology's guidance and treatment, a senior felt a significant reduction in the lymphoma's symptoms, allowing them to return to their beloved hobby of painting and spend more time with their family.
- With the tumor's growth slowed, a senior felt more secure at home, able to enjoy familiar activities like spending time with loved ones and gardening, while maintaining their quality of life.
- With specialized medical care, a senior experiencing upper digestive tract cancer found relief from debilitating symptoms, allowing them to enjoy meals and social activities with renewed energy. The family felt comforted knowing their loved one was receiving the best possible care and support.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- National Board of Physicians and Surgeons (General Surgery)
- American Board of Surgery (General Surgery)
- National Board of Physicians and Surgeons (Nuclear Medicine)
Here are answers to some common questions about Oncological care with Dr. Seza Gulec:
- What is an Oncologist?
- Dr. Gulec is a medical oncologist, a doctor specializing in cancer treatment using medications like chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Other oncology specialists, such as surgical and radiation oncologists, may also be part of your care team, working together to create a personalized treatment plan.
- What can I expect at my first visit with an oncologist?
- Your first visit with Dr. Gulec will be a comprehensive consultation to gather information and begin forming a personalized treatment plan. This will involve a detailed review of your medical records, pathology reports, and imaging scans. Dr. Gulec will explain the diagnosis, discuss potential treatment options, and answer all of your questions with care and compassion, establishing a partnership to navigate this journey together.
- Is age a factor in deciding on cancer treatment?
- While age is a factor, Dr. Gulec considers your overall health, fitness level, and personal goals more crucial. She specializes in personalized treatment plans for seniors, adapting them to be effective while minimizing side effects and preserving your independence.
- What is the difference between palliative care and hospice care?
- Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms and stress from serious illnesses like cancer, and can be given at any stage alongside curative treatment. Hospice care is comfort care provided when curative treatment is no longer pursued.
- What is chemotherapy and what are the side effects?
- Chemotherapy is a powerful medication used to kill cancer cells throughout the body. While side effects like fatigue, nausea, and hair loss are a concern, there are many excellent medications and supportive care strategies available today to effectively manage these side effects and maintain quality of life during treatment.
- How is breast cancer treated in older women?
- Treatment for breast cancer in older women is highly personalized, considering the cancer type and the patient's overall health. Options often include surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy pills, which are frequently well-tolerated. Dr. Gulec works with a team to create the most effective and least disruptive treatment plan.
- What is radiation therapy?
- Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to precisely target and destroy cancer cells, while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. It's a localized treatment, meaning it only affects the area being treated. The procedure itself is painless, similar to getting an X-ray.
- What does it mean if my prostate cancer is managed with 'active surveillance'?
- Active surveillance is a safe and standard way to manage slow-growing, low-risk prostate cancer. It involves closely monitoring the cancer with regular PSA blood tests and biopsies, rather than immediate treatment. This approach avoids the side effects of treatment for cancers that may never cause harm.
HCA Florida Miami Dade Surgical Specialists - Biscayne
21110 Biscayne Blvd Ste 400
Aventura FL 33180
Phone: (321) 373-3405
Dr. Seza Gulec, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1780664227
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. Oncology like Dr. Seza Gulec are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.