Daniel M Labow, MD Email Daniel Labow

Daniel M. Labow, M.D., Chairman of Surgery at Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Morningside, is a board-certified Surgeon with a specialty in Surgical Oncology.  He has established himself at Mount Sinai Hospital since 2004 after studying medicine at a unique, combined medical school, the Dartmouth-Brown Medical Program, completing his General Surgery residency at the University of Chicago, and receiving his fellowship training at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.  As Vice Chair of Outpatient Services for the Department of Surgery, Dr. Labow continuously designs processes to facilitate unprecedented patient care.  Furthermore he instills this practice on the new generation of physicians while working tirelessly to advance the educational program at Mount Sinai Hospital by being the Program Director of Surgical Oncology Fellowship.

During the length of his trainings, as well as 2 additional years post residency, Dr. Labow pursued extensive clinical and basic science research.  His clinical and research interests include the diagnosis and treatment of a broad range of both primary and metastatic malignancies including gastric and esophageal cancer, pancreatic neoplasms, primary and metastatic liver malignancies, biliary tract disease, colon and rectal cancer, sarcoma, and melanoma.  Dr. Labow’s devotion to research and training allow him to understand the entire spectrum of treatments for these cancers, including investigational approaches to help guide each individual patient along the appropriate treatment unique pathway.  Moreover, he concentrates in the application of minimally invasive techniques and their role in cancer care. 

At Mount Sinai Hospital, Dr. Labow established and directs one of the busiest Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemoperfusion (HIPEC) programs in the country.  This technique, which combines surgery with chemotherapy, has revolutionized the treatment of cancers in the abdominal (peritoneal) lining that stem from colon, gastric, ovarian, and appendiceal cancers, as well as mesothelioma and pseudomyxoma peritonei.  HIPEC is essentially a chemotherapy "bath" that delivers heated chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity, where it penetrates the diseased tissue directly.  This targeted contact of the heated drug kills the tumor nodules, which increases absorption of the chemotherapy solution.  Dr. Labow, who has performed more than 220 HIPEC procedures since 2007, recognizes the vitality the combination procedure has in significantly extending patient survival rates whilst minimizing the known side effects of chemotherapy that are normally administered intravenously.  Additionally, it destroys undetected cancer cells after the tumor has been removed, preventing them from forming into new tumors and causing a reoccurrence of cancer.

Dr. Daniel Labow’s rapport with his patients, his medical knowledge and his dedication as a physician contribute to his reputation with patients as well as other physicians.  He is an active member in a number of physician organizations including the American College of Surgeons, American Hepatopancreaticobiliary Association, and Society of Surgical Oncology where he sits on the education committee.  As New York State Chair of the Commission on Cancer, Dr. Labow helps shape future cancer initiatives and policy, in addition to Co-Chairing the Gastrointestinal Disease Focus Group at Mount Sinai Hospital.  Dr. Labow has been awarded the Robert Paradny Teaching award and was recently named one of New York Metro Area’s Top Doctors by Castle Connolly. 

In the News:

• Dr. Labow speaks to The New York Times about the recovery journey Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg can expect after receiving treatment for pancreatic cancer.
   
• Dr. Labow explains the symptoms and prognosis for pancreatic cancer in the NY Post.

• Featured in Yahoo Travel, Dr. Labow identifies Seven Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Colon Cancer

• CBS Evening News interviews Dr. Labow about rising colorectal cancer cases in young adults

• Dr. Labow shares the incredible story of a Holocaust survivor who also beat cancer 

• Dr. Labow weighs in on the Alex Trebek’s Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer diagnosis and what his options for treatment are.

• Dr. Labow discusses the difficulties of diagnosing pancreatic cancer and the statistics of a late diagnosis, in The Washington Post.

• Dr. Labow discusses the link between obesity-linked cancers and the dangers certain types of diets bring.

• Dr. Labow comments on the FDA approving a new ovarian cancer drug treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer.

• Dr. Labow weighs in on the debate of lowering the age of your first colonoscopy.

• Dr. Labow weighs in on the increasing rates of colon cancer among younger people and the difference in treatment in racial disparities.

• Dr. Labow comments on the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her incredible grit when fighting cancer.

• Dr. Labow gives his perspective on a new colorectal cancer recommendation by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.