Michael L. Berman, MD

Professor
Director, Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Program
Division of Gynecologic Oncology
E-mail: mberman@uci.edu
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Clinical Interests

Dr. Berman is interested in improving the management of women with gynecologic cancers and those with complex gynecologic surgical conditions. He is widely recognized as a leader in this field, having developed new surgical procedures for a variety of complex gynecologic conditions. He is listed in the August 1997 Good Housekeeping magazine as among the 401 "Best Doctors for Women in the U.S." and in The Best Doctors in America: Pacific Region.

Research Interests

With others in the Gynecologic Oncology Program at UCI, Dr. Berman participates in a wide range of multi-institutional protocol studies under the direction and support of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Dr. Berman has conducted an epidemiologic study of endometrial cancer to elucidate risk factors, including obesity, diet, gynecologic history, exposure to exogenous hormone, tobacco and alcohol associated with endometrial cancer and gestational trophoblastic diseases.

In the area of cancer prevention, he has been principal investigator of an NCI-funded, phase II/III clinical trial of beta-carotene in the treatment of pre-invasive cervical disease (CIN II & III). This study followed up on preliminary work performed at the UCI Medical Center suggesting that this vitamin derivative may be a therapeutic agent for the treatment of preinvasive cancer of the cervix. This study will help determine whether beta-carotene will affect regression of CIN. Additional questions that will be addressed by this study include how infection with various human papilloma virus strains may alter the effects of beta-carotene on the regression of CIN.

An additional point of investigation concerns the possible influence of tissue and serum levels of beta-carotene and vitamin A on response to therapy. Cervical cancer represents the leading cause of cancer mortality in women in many Third World countries. If beta-carotene can cause regression of premalignant conditions in the cervix, the implications for women in the underdeveloped countries who are at high risk for this diagnosis are quite far reaching. The results of this study may have a major impact on dietary practices and the use of vitamin supplements throughout the world.

Education
Degree	Major	University	Year
Fellowship	Gynecologic Oncology	City of Hope National Medical Center and UCLA Medical Center	1976
Residency	Obstetrics and Gynecology	Harbor General Hospital	1974
Residency	Obstetrics and Gynecology	George Washington University	1969
Rotating Internship	Surgery	Colorado General Hospital	1968
M.D.	Medicine	George Washington University	1967
B.S.	Physical Sciences	University of Maryland, College Park	1963

Selected Publications

Journal Articles, Peer Reviewed
Palmer JR, Driscoll SG, Rosenberg L, Berkowitz RS, Lurain JR, Soper J, Twiggs LB, Gershenson DM, Kohorn EI, Berman ML, Shapiro S, Rao S. Oral contraceptive use and risk of gestational trophoblastic tumors. J Natl Cancer Inst, 91: 635-39, Apr 1999.

Tewari K, Cappuccini F, Syed AM, Puthawala A, DiSaia PJ, Berman ML, Manetta A, Monk BJ. Interstitial brachytherapy in the treatment of advanced and recurrent vulvar cancer. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 181(1): 91-98, Jul 1999.

Tewari K, Cappuccini F, Brewster WR, DiSaia PJ, Berman ML, Manetta A, Puthawala A. Interstitial brachytherapy for vaginal recurrences of endometrial cancer. Gynecol Oncol 74: 416-422, Aug 1999.

Tewari K, Cappuccini F, DiSaia PJ, Berman ML, Manetta A, Kohler MF. Malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary. Obstet Gynecol 95: (1)128-133, Jan 2000.

Lacey JV, Brinton LA, Mortel R, Berman ML, Wilbanks GD, Twiggs LB, Barrett RJ. Tubal sterilization and risk of cancer of the endometrium. Gynecol Oncol 79: 482-484, 2000.

Tewari K, Cappuccini F, Puthawala A, Kuo J, Burger RA, Monk BJ, Manetta A, Berman ML, DiSaia PJ, Syed AM. Primary evasive carcinoma of the vagina: Treatment with interstitial brachytherapy. Cancer 91(4):758-770, Feb 2001.