Robotic Surgery for Cancers & Tumors

NYU Langone’s experienced and highly skilled robotic surgeons use sophisticated, minimally invasive techniques to treat people who have a range of complex cancers and tumors.

The types of cancer for which we are able to use robotic surgery include cancers of the digestive and gastrointestinal tract, colorectal cancer, gynecologic cancers, head and neck cancers, lung cancer, and urologic cancers. Our surgeons collaborate with specialists at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center to determine if you require further treatment after surgery.

Our Expertise in Robotic Lung Cancer Surgery

Our thoracic surgeons perform several different robotic procedures in people with early stages of lung cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, and posterior mediastinal tumors. We also work with select patients who have been successfully treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy and may benefit from surgery.

As national leaders in a range of robotic-assisted surgeries that are used to manage several types of lung cancer, NYU Langone is one of the few institutions in the country to offer robotic lobectomies, or removal of a lobe of the lung.

Our Expertise in Robotic Gynecologic Cancer Surgery

Our gynecologic oncologists have vast experience in performing robotic-assisted surgery to manage gynecologic cancers, including early cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, fallopian tube cancer, and ovarian cancer. Robotic surgery approaches result in faster recovery time for patients. This helps patients to return to their normal activities more quickly or begin chemotherapy or radiation treatment sooner, if it is recommended.

Our surgeons use advanced techniques, such as near-infrared imaging when performing sentinel node biopsies in women who have cervical cancer, which allows them to better identify lymph nodes, remove only the most necessary lymph nodes, and reduce the short- and long-term side effects from lymph node dissection. We also play a key leadership role in the training of other surgeons to perform safe robotic surgical procedures.

Our Expertise in Robotic Colorectal Cancer Surgery

Our surgical oncologists and colorectal surgeons are experts in the use of robotic approaches to manage colon and rectal cancers. Their expertise in using the most advanced robotic technology enables them to remove tumors while minimizing trauma to the patient. Whenever possible, they also use nerve-sparing surgical techniques that preserve sphincter, bladder, and sexual function.

Our Expertise in Robotic Urologic Cancer Surgery

We have a robotic uro-oncology team that includes urologic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and radiologists. Our specialties include:

• adrenal cancer
• bladder cancer
• kidney cancer
• penile cancer
• prostate cancer
• testicular cancer
• ureteral cancer

We are known internationally for our expertise in kidney-sparing surgery, known as partial nephrectomy, when treating people who have kidney cancer. We’ve also developed specialized techniques using advanced imaging to minimize trauma to the kidney during surgery. This leads to less blood loss and shorter hospital stays. Each year, more than 100 surgeons from around the world come to NYU Langone to observe our advanced robotic techniques for managing kidney cancer.

We are cofounders of the largest kidney cancer database in the world and have published two landmark studies on the safety and effectiveness of robotic partial nephrectomy. The studies showed that robotic partial nephrectomy is more effective than laparoscopic surgery at managing kidney cancer. We offer fluorescence imaging for managing kidney cancer surgery, which gives us a more detailed picture of kidney blood flow and allows us to more clearly distinguish between cancerous and noncancerous tissue.

Robotic surgery techniques for bladder cancer have advanced, allowing both total and partial removal of the bladder to be done in a minimally invasive way. This can reduce trauma, blood loss, and wound-related complications. NYU Langone was the first and currently the only institution in New York City to offer robotic bladder removal and robotic reconstruction of a new bladder.

We pioneered many of the robotic-assisted surgical techniques used around the world today to treat cancers of the ureter, the tube that connects the bladder to the kidneys. Whenever possible, we focus on removing the affected ureter while preserving the kidney.

Our team has also pioneered the use of robotic surgery techniques and fluorescence imaging to perform lymph node removal for advanced testis and penile cancer. These advances have dramatically reduced pain, length of hospital stay, and surgery-related complications for our patients.

We use one of the world’s largest and most experienced advanced MRI imaging and biopsy programs to maximize outcomes during robotic prostate cancer surgery. Our goal is to manage the cancer while preserving sexual and urinary function.

Contact Us

To make an appointment or learn more about our services, call 877-ROBO-NYU (877-762-6698). Learn more about our research and educational programs.