Surgical Oncology

Every year our surgeons perform a large number of procedures to diagnose and treat a variety of cancers of breast, head & neck, thyroid, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, stomach colorectal, esophagus, melanoma, peritoneal, sarcoma as well as non-cancerous thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal disorders. These procedures help save lives, relieve the symptoms arising from tumors, and improve quality of life.

Please contact us at 516-632-3350 to schedule an appointment.

Our breadth of experience means that you are in the best hands for these surgeries. You will receive treatment in modern, state-of-the-art operating rooms and inpatient areas.

As surgical oncologists (surgeons who specialize in treating cancer surgically) in a large health system, we perform a high volume of operations, including surgery for cancer recurrence. Our surgeons use advanced minimally invasive techniques (robotic and laparoscopic) and traditional open surgical procedures, working with first-class anesthesiologists to deliver high-quality care, all with the aim to help you to maintain your quality of life.

Why Mount Sinai South Nassau

At Mount Sinai South Nassau, our approach is personalized care. Our surgical oncologists start by understanding the full extent of your condition, meeting you in the clinic and knowing you as a person. Using state-of-the-art diagnostics and working closely with endocrinologists, medical, radiation oncologists, as well as allied specialists, we determine the cancer’s stage based on its location, size, and spread, which helps us provide comprehensive data-based recommendations and deliver treatment tailored specifically for you.

At Mount Sinai South Nassau, you have a team of specialists engaged in your care. Complex cases are discussed in a multidisciplinary cancer care conference, where the best course of treatment can be selected for the cancer stage and the patient.

In addition, our surgical oncologists support your journey to overcoming cancer, working with pain control, nutrition, social and psychological support specialists.

You may choose to see us for a second opinion. We are happy to review your medical records and test results. We may also suggest that you allow us to do further testing to ensure an accurate diagnosis and revise your treatment plan or recommendations.

Meet Our Team

Rajiv V. Datta, MD, MBA, FACS, FRCS, FICS
Chair Department of Surgery, Director of the Division of Surgical Oncology and Head and Neck Surgery Medical Director of the Mount Sinai South Nassau Gertrude & Louis Feil Cancer Center
Professor of Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Dr. Datta established Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Surgical Oncology Program in 2001. He specializes in Thyroid and Head & Neck Neoplasms. He trained at Grant Medical College and Tata Memorial Cancer Center in India, with advanced training in plastic surgery and surgical oncology in the UK, prior to a research fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He completed a dual fellowship in surgical oncology and head and neck surgery at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY and then served on the faculty of Maimonides Medical Center and Coney Island Hospital. Dr. Datta's approach to comprehensive cancer care is one that combines the most advanced surgical techniques with a warm and caring attitude that enables both patients and their families to feel comfortable and confident while making important medical decisions.



Eric Seitelman, MD, FACS
Surgical Oncologist
Program Director of General Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau
Dr. Seitelman is board certified in General Surgery and fellowship trained in Complex Surgical Oncology at Virginia Commonwealth University. Since 2012 he has been treating patients in Long Island and Queens at Mount Sinai South Nassau. Dr. Seitelman cares for patients with breast cancer, skin cancers such as melanoma, sarcoma, gastrointestinal malignancies. While focusing on breast cancer and melanoma, Dr. Seitelman works closely with plastic surgeons to achieve optimal results both in terms of cancer care and cosmetic outcomes. At Mount Sinai South Nassau, we have a strong multidisciplinary system where specialists work together daily to provide state of the art care. In addition to surgical oncology, Dr. Seitelman operates on large benign masses as well as being a busy general surgeon with a large hernia practice.



Hideo Takahashi, MD
Dr. Takahashi is board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology. He obtained his medical degree from Kobe University School of Medicine in Kobe, Japan. He completed a General Surgery Residency at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio and a Complex General Surgical Oncology fellowship at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York. He is specialized in the malignancies in the liver, pancreas, and upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. He is also specialized in robotic surgery for oncology cases as well as general surgery including gallbladder and hernia repair.



Rohit Ranganath, MD
Rohit Ranganath, MD is board certified in General Surgery and specializes in Endocrine and Head and Neck Oncology. He earned his medical degree at Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in India and completed residency in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. He completed General Surgery residency training at Mercy Catholic Medical Center in Darby, PA, followed by a fellowship in Head and Neck Endocrine Surgery at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. He specializes in minimally invasive endocrine surgery for thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal disorders and head and neck cancers. In addition, he offers laparoscopic and robotic surgery for ventral, hiatal and inguinal hernia repairs and gall bladder disorders. His treatment philosophy is to deliver personalized high-quality care.

Research and Clinical Trials

Our surgeons actively participate in research and clinical trials bringing innovative treatments from our labs directly to you.

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is among the institutions receiving the highest amount of funding from the National Institutes of Health for research as well as funding for surgical oncology research by the National Cancer Institute and several industry partners from which you will benefit.

We are involved in many multi-institutional, international studies, and our ongoing research projects include the following:

• Early cancer detection—screening to discover cancer at its earliest stages
  
• Tumor markers—indicators of cancer found in blood or urine
  
• Cancer genetics—the study of inherited risk factors for cancer
  
• Environmental risk factors—actual or potential risks in the environment
  
• Minimally invasive surgical techniques—surgery performed using small incisions, laparoscopes and robotic technology
  
• Nonsurgical tumor ablation—techniques to remove tumors without making an incision
  
• Down staging of advanced cancer to allow for surgical resection—clinical treatments that downsize cancer in preparation for removing the cancer surgically
  
• Adjuvant treatment to prevent cancer recurrence—follow up cancer treatment
  
• Tumor vaccines—development of vaccine to prevent cancer
  
• Gene therapy—using normal, healthy genes as treatment
  
• Non-chemotherapy treatment of advanced cancer—alternatives to chemotherapy treatment
  

What You Can Expect

Before surgery, you will have pre-surgical tests—blood tests, X-rays, and other imaging tests. The results of these tests inform your doctor about your overall health so that your surgical team is ready for you, and so that your body is optimized for the procedure. Feel free to ask any questions you have before your surgery.

Your anesthesiologist will also base the amount and type of anesthesia you will receive during surgery based on the results of those tests and the type of surgery you are having. The length of your hospital stay and your overall recovery time depend on your type of surgery and your overall health. Your health care team will give you specific directions for your recovery, such as how to care for any wounds, what foods or activities to avoid, and what medications to take.

We create a personal survivorship plan for you that will help guide your health care and lifestyle choices following surgery. We will continue to monitor your condition for the first five years of your survivorship and beyond if you prefer. We are here for you throughout your health care journey. In addition, during your recovery and afterwards, Mount Sinai South Nassau offers a full array of support services for cancer patients, ranging from social services to nutritional advice. We encourage you to participate in the programs that will be helpful to you.