The Mount Sinai Morningside Division of Thoracic Surgery provides comprehensive, expert care for diseases of the lung, chest, esophagus, and hyperhidrosis, a condition characterized by excessive sweating. Our team of physicians, nurses, and support services are among the best in the country.

Our treatment methods, facilities, and technology are state-of-the-art as we constantly strive for excellence in taking care of both simple and complex medical conditions. Our surgeons are highly experienced in performing minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery. The treatment of lung, chest, and esophageal diseases requires an interdisciplinary approach that draws on a number of medical specialties. 

At Mount Sinai Morningside, our skilled physicians provide comprehensive, quality care including medical, radiation and surgical oncology, gastroenterology, and pulmonary medicine.

Conditions We Treat

Our team of surgeons and care providers are leaders in the treatment of chest, airway, and esophageal diseases and disorders including:

Swallowing disorders (Dysphagia):

• Achalasia is a rare disorder of the esophagus with symptoms including difficulty swallowing, heartburn and chest pain.
• Barrett’s esophagus is an erosion of cells lining the esophagus as a result of chronic acid reflux and often is a precursor to esophageal cancer.
• Esophageal diverticulum is a protruding pouch in the esophagus that might cause swallowing issues.
• Esophagitis is an inflammation of the esophagus that can cause pain and difficulty swallowing.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is chronic acid reflux.
• Hiatal hernia is a condition when the stomach bulges through the chest diaphragm.

Cancers involving the chest:

• Esophageal cancer is a type of cancer originating in the food pipe that runs between the throat and the stomach.
• Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the U.S. Patients at risk for lung cancer can benefit from a screening that uses a low dose CT scan to detect cancer at an earlier stage when it is most treatable.
• Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph system.
• Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lining that covers most of your internal organs.
• Chest wall sarcoma is a tumor that forms in the bones, soft tissue, or cartilage, and is malignant.

Non-cancerous chest problems:

• Pectus excavatum is a condition caused when the breastbone is sunken into the chest.
• Pericardial effusions is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity.
• Pleural effusions is an abnormal accumulation of fluid around the lungs.
• Pneumothorax is an abnormal collection of air between the lung and the chest wall.
• Pulmonary nodules is a relatively small dense mass in the lung often benign.

Airway and breathing problems:

• Emphysema is a lung condition that causes shortness of breath.
• Lung or respiratory failure is nearly any condition that affects breathing function or the lungs themselves.
• Tracheal stenosis is when the windpipe narrows or constricts.

Other

• Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating.

Treatments Offered

Our comprehensive program offers a broad range of services, from cancer screenings to the latest advances in robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Prior to surgery, our surgeons will discuss all options and how you may benefit from the following procedures:

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Our surgeons are continuously advancing and improving minimally invasive approaches. These approaches have become the gold standard for surgery whenever possible. Minimally invasive techniques may help you recover more quickly, avoid possible side effects, and cause less pain than traditional approaches. Procedures we use most often include video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), and navigational bronchoscopy.  Our experts perform biopsies with these minimally invasive techniques in cases that once demanded operative procedures.

Robotic-assisted surgery

Our surgeons use robotic technology for the treatment of lung cancer and other organs in the chest. Because of its greater precision, robotic procedures often produce better outcomes, smaller scars, and quicker recovery. Conditions most often treated with robotic surgery are esophageal cancer, lung cancer, mediastinal tumors, and thymoma.

Other cancer treatment options available include:

• Radiation therapy uses high doses of carefully directed radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
• Brachytherapy delivers radiation therapy by inserting radioactive material near the tumor.
• Stereotactic radiosurgery delivers precise, highly targeted radiation to tumors, minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.
• Chemotherapy uses one or more medications in combination to kill cancer cells, shrink tumors, and relieve symptoms.
• Personalized/ Precision Medicine is an innovative approach tailoring disease prevention and treatment based on differences in genetics, environments, and lifestyles.

We offer other innovative treatments including laser therapy and stenting, photodynamic therapy (PDT), radiofrequency ablation, and behavioral therapy. When other therapies are no longer effective, our patients may have access to clinical trials specific to their disease. These experimental therapies enable us to bring new hope to patients who have a poor prognosis.

Meet Our Team

Our highly trained and experienced thoracic surgeons provide top-notch diagnostic and treatment services.

• Ardeshir Hakami-Kermani, MD
• Daniel Nicastri, MD