NYU Langone Health (Perlmutter Cancer Center)
550 1st. Avenue, New York, New York 10016
New York University Langone Health, often shortened to NYU Langone, features a mesothelioma expert along with many other patient-first oncologists and surgeons. The mesothelioma cancer center of excellence is located in New York City and offers the Perlmutter Cancer Center.
Pleural Mesothelioma and Peritoneal Mesothelioma
NYU Langone Health (Perlmutter Cancer Center)
550 1st. Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Dr. Daniel Sterman
Dr. Amie Kent
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More About Mesothelioma Treatment at NYU Langone Health
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer diagnosed in approximately 2,500 people in the United States each year. Finding a cancer center with a mesothelioma program is important for patients and their families.
NYU Langone Health Laura’s Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated institution. The NYU Langone website lists 34 medical professionals as capable of treating mesothelioma. These doctors’ titles include:
- Thoracic surgeon
- Medical oncologist
- Radiation oncologist
- Pulmonary medicine specialist
Dr. Harvey Pass was First Director of Thoracic Surgery at the hospital. Now retired, he directed mesothelioma care for years and performed surgeries for malignant pleural mesothelioma, which is a thoracic cancer beginning in the thin lining of the lungs. Dr. Pass is co-author of the “100 Questions & Answers About Mesothelioma” book, a valuable resource for patients, families and medical professionals.
Doctors at NYU Langone’s cancer center also provide treatment for people with peritoneal mesothelioma, which forms in the lining of the abdominal cavity.
The primary mesothelioma doctors at NYU Langone’s Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center are Dr. Daniel Sterman, Dr. Amie Kent, Dr. Robert Certfolio, and Dr. Laurence Spier.
Experienced Mesothelioma Specialists
- Dr. Laurence Spier, thoracic surgeon
- Dr. Travis Geraci, thoracic surgeon
- Dr. Amie Kent, thoracic surgeon
- Dr. Sally Lau, medical oncologist
- Dr. Elaine Shum, medical oncologist
- Dr. Robert Certfolio, thoracic surgeon
- Dr. Daniel Sterman, pulmonary medicine specialist
Affiliations
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine
- Perlmutter Cancer Center
Treatment Specialties
- Pleurectomy/decortication surgery
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy surgery
- HIPEC cytoreductive surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Fluid drainage palliative surgery
Get Connected to NYU Langone Health
NYU Langone has nearly three dozen medical professionals with experience in the mesothelioma care process. Cancer centers with a large team of mesothelioma doctors usually provide the greatest benefit to patients, whether it’s for hopes of eradicating all tumors or improving comfort through palliative care.
Why Choose NYU Langone?
- Affiliated with a top medical school and multidisciplinary cancer center
- Multiple surgeons on staff with mesothelioma experience
- Protocol in place for mesothelioma to help patients know what to expect
Surgery Protocol at NYU Langone Health
One of the mesothelioma surgeries offered at NYU Langone’s Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center is pleurectomy/decortication for pleural mesothelioma. This surgery removes the lining, along with part or all of the diaphragm and lining of the heart.
NYU Langone’s website says only 20-30% of pleural mesothelioma cases qualify for pleurectomy/decortication. The other option for people with pleural mesothelioma is extrapleural pneumonectomy, which goes a step further and takes out the affected lung. NYU Langone’s website says chemotherapy often is given before extrapleural pneumonectomy.
The last aggressive surgery is cytoreduction with HIPEC for peritoneal mesothelioma. This surgery can take up to 12 hours and involves heated chemotherapy delivered into the abdomen after all visible tumors are removed.
Each surgery requires rehabilitation in the hospital. NYU Langone’s top cancer center works with the Rusk Rehabilitation center and program to give patients full support during rehab, including a qualified staff to help with breathing and movement exercises.
If chemotherapy is recommended through an IV, it is given in what’s called cycles. These are 21-day increments between chemotherapy treatment. NYU Langone medical oncologists usually recommend 2-4 cycles for mesothelioma.
NYU Langone Health is ranked first in the U.S. News & World Report 2025-2026 Hospitals Honor Roll for lung surgery, which can be beneficial for people diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma forms near the lungs and often involves surgery of or near the lungs.
Hospital Ranking
- Listed in the U.S. News & World Report 2025-2026 Hospitals Honor Roll
- Ranked 1st in New York City
- Ranked 16th for cancer treatment
- Ranked 4th in gastrointestinal cancer surgery (peritoneal mesothelioma)
- Ranked 1st in lung cancer surgery (pleural mesothelioma)
Involvement in Mesothelioma Research
Mesothelioma research efforts at NYU Langone’s cancer center focus around biopsy practices. Diagnosing mesothelioma requires multiple tests, which usually happen after monitoring early symptoms.
The hospital’s Thoracic Oncology Research Program is a National Cancer Institute-designated Biomarker Discovery Laboratory. Biomarkers are the central focus of diagnosing and staging cancers like mesothelioma.
Doctors at NYU Langone are examining proteins in the blood to identify mesothelioma earlier among those exposed to asbestos. Most people aren’t diagnosed for at least 20 years after exposure. If this time can be shortened, it improves the chances of early treatment and prolonged survival.
How to Begin Treatment at NYU Langone
New York University Langone Health has a premier cancer center and staff to welcome mesothelioma patients and families. Before contacting the hospital’s main line, reach out to a patient advocate. They’ll help you with scheduling a consultation and offer guidance for treatment options through the Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center.
Our lead patient advocate, Karen Ritter, is available to help you or a loved one. Email her at karen@mesotheliomaguide.com for direct communication, or ask for our cancer center recommendations by filling out a form.
Sources & Author
- Surgery for Malignant Mesothelioma. NYU Langone Health. Retrieved from: https://nyulangone.org/conditions/malignant-mesothelioma/treatments/surgery-for-malignant-mesothelioma. Accessed: 02/04/2022.
- NYU Langone Hospitals. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved from: https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/ny/nyu-langone-medical-center-6212925. Accessed: 08/11/2025.
- Doctors Who Treat Malignant Mesothelioma. NYU Langone Health. Retrieved from: https://nyulangone.org/conditions/malignant-mesothelioma/doctors. Accessed: 02/08/2022.
- Support for Malignant Mesothelioma. NYU Langone Health. Retrieved from: https://nyulangone.org/conditions/malignant-mesothelioma/support. Accessed: 02/08/2022.
- Diagnosing Malignant Mesothelioma. NYU Langone Health. Retrieved from: https://nyulangone.org/conditions/malignant-mesothelioma/diagnosis. Accessed: 02/08/2022.
- Chemotherapy for Malignant Mesothelioma. NYU Langone Health. Retrieved from: https://nyulangone.org/conditions/malignant-mesothelioma/treatments/chemotherapy-for-malignant-mesothelioma. Accessed: 02/08/2022.
AI Summary of NYU Langone Health (Perlmutter Cancer Center)
NYU Langone Health, also known as the Perlmutter Cancer Center, is a leading medical facility in New York City dedicated to the treatment of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer primarily linked to asbestos exposure. Located at 550 1st Avenue, this center offers specialized care from a team of experienced doctors and surgeons focused on improving outcomes for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma, whether it affects the lining of the lungs (pleural) or the abdomen (peritoneal). The center is part of a highly respected academic medical institution, providing not only advanced surgical options but also comprehensive support through research and clinical expertise.
NYU Langone’s team includes a number of skilled specialists, including thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and pulmonary medicine experts. Their collective experience ensures that each patient receives tailored treatment options that may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or innovative procedures such as heated chemotherapy (HIPEC) for abdominal cancers. For pleural mesothelioma, options like pleurectomy or extrapleural pneumonectomy are available, with the hospital working closely with rehabilitation services to help patients recover and regain strength after treatment. The facility is consistently ranked among the best in the country for lung and cancer surgeries, affirming its reputation for excellence in cancer care.
Research at NYU Langone focuses on improving early diagnosis and understanding the biology of mesothelioma. The hospital’s efforts are particularly centered on identifying biomarkers in blood that could lead to earlier detection of the disease, which often remains untreated for many years after asbestos exposure. This proactive approach aims to find ways to diagnose mesothelioma sooner and begin treatment at a stage when it can be most effective. For patients and families, this commitment to research offers hope for better outcomes in the future, along with access to the latest advancements in treatment and diagnosis.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, NYU Langone Health provides a compassionate, patient-first environment where specialists work together to create personalized treatment plans. Communication with experienced patient advocates can help guide families through the process of scheduling consultations and understanding available options. With a dedicated team, a comprehensive approach to care, and ongoing research efforts, NYU Langone stands as a trusted resource for those facing this challenging diagnosis, offering hope and support at every step of their journey.