![Memorial Sloan Kettering surgeon and ovarian cancer expert Dennis Chi](https://www.mskcc.org/sites/default/files/styles/width_600_1x1/public/node/127/3x2/chi_1200x800.jpg?h=10d202d3)
Dennis S. Chi, MD, FACOG, FACS
Gynecologic Surgeon
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Meet Gynecologic Surgeon Dennis Chi
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About Me
- Ronald O. Perelman Chair in Gynecologic Surgery
- Deputy Chief, Gynecology Service
- Head, Ovarian Cancer Surgery, Department of Surgery
I have been an attending surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for more than 25 years. I have devoted my career to caring for women with cancerous and noncancerous gynecologic diseases, including cervical cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian/fallopian tube cancer.
I have served as Deputy Chief of the Gynecology Service since 2010 and Head of the Ovarian Cancer Surgery Section since 2014. In 2021, I partnered with colleagues in the Departments of Medicine and Nursing as well as the Clinical Genetics Service to start the Comprehensive Assessment and Treatment of Cancers with Hereditary predisposition (CATCH) program. As the Surgical Director of this program, it is my goal to ensure that patients and family members who are at an increased risk for developing inherited cancers can be enrolled in a cutting-edge program, staffed by expert medical professionals, who can help them navigate the maze of consultations, screening tests, and preventive measures that are needed once this type of diagnosis is made.
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My mother was an OB-GYN, so I entered my residency believing that I would take over her practice. This changed during my first year of training, when I cared for patients with gynecologic cancers and learned about the procedures used to treat these diseases. I saw how quality of care and surgery were so essential to positive outcomes for these patients, and that inspired me to go into the gynecologic oncology subspecialty. I wanted to develop an expertise in advanced ovarian cancer surgery because I saw that this was the area where training, skill, dedication, and perseverance made the most difference.
In my clinical practice, I have extensive experience in the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques. Using this advanced technology helps us improve outcomes for patients with early-stage cancers of the ovaries, uterus, and cervix. When appropriate, I offer my patients newer treatment options, such as sentinel lymph node biopsy, fertility-preserving surgery, and robotic surgery, as well as panniculectomies (removal of excess fat from the lower abdomen). These techniques improve outcomes, both surgically and cosmetically, and ultimately help improve patient quality of life.
When patients with known or suspected cancers — especially those with advanced ovarian cancer — first come to see me, they are often concerned with removing the cancer as soon as possible. I reassure all my patients that, together, we will decide on the best treatment plan in the timeliest manner possible. When patients need surgery, we try to schedule their procedure as soon as possible from their initial consultation date. But we also take the time to make sure that we are pursuing the appropriate surgery, so as not to rush into a decision. I also remind my patients that we have a team of dedicated surgeons, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, anesthesiologists, and nurses who are all committed to their care. As a result, we have some of the best surgical outcomes for advanced ovarian cancer in the world. Our patients’ quality and quantity of life is our top priority.
Over the past 25 years, I have dedicated much of my research to exploring ways to expand and improve our surgical management of ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers. I have published more than 100 papers on surgery for ovarian cancer, and I have been the principal investigator of many institutional and multicenter trials aimed at improving outcomes for patients with this disease. In addition, I, along with my colleagues at the University of California, Irvine, and UCLA, are working on the fourth edition of our textbook, Ovarian Cancer: Principles and Practice. I am the editor of two other textbooks, including Principles and Practice of Gynecologic Oncology, which is considered one of the leading textbooks in our field. I have given numerous major presentations about surgery for gynecologic cancers internationally, and I am passionate about collaborating with my colleagues around the world.
Some of our current clinical investigations at MSK include identifying ways to decrease the need for blood transfusions during surgery, decrease infections and stress on the immune system, and administer heated chemotherapy directly into the abdomen after the removal of cancerous tumors. I have also worked with international colleagues to establish clinical guidelines for determining who are appropriate candidates for second and third surgeries in cases of recurrent ovarian cancer. My goal is not only to improve the quality of life and long-term remission for patients with difficult cases of very advanced or recurrent disease, but also to offer hope where very little may have existed before.
In addition to my clinical and research activities, I have served on many national and international professional committees, including the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Society of Memorial Gynecologic Oncologists, the Metropolitan Gynecologic Cancer Society, and the Gynecologic Cancer Task Force of the American Joint Committee on Cancer. For many years, I have been Director of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology’s annual postgraduate surgical courses, developed to keep gynecologic oncologists throughout the world up to date on the latest surgical treatments for patients with gynecologic cancers. I am also on the faculty of the University of California, Irvine, international course on cytoreductive surgery, as well as in the European School of Abdomino-Pelvic Surgery in Gynecologic Oncology, based in Italy. Our passionate mission is to improve the care and outcomes of patients with gynecologic cancers — not just in our own countries, but everywhere.
A gynecologic (GY-neh-kuh-LAH-jik) surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the female reproductive system. This includes the cervix, endometrium, fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, and vagina.
My Specialties
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Cervical Cancer
- Uterine Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
Education
- MD, New York University
Residencies
- Obstetrics and Gynecology - New York University School of Medicine
Awards and Honors
- Castle Connolly: Top AAPI Doctor (2024)
- SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer Farr Nezhat, MD, FACOG, FACS Lifetime Achievement Award (2024)
- Castle Connolly: America’s Top Doctor (2024)
- Top Doctors New York Metro Area, Castle Connolly (2023)
- Castle Connolly: America’s Top Doctors (2012-2023)
- Castle Connolly: New York Magazine Top Doctors (2012-2020)
- New York Times Super Doctors (2008-2016)
- New York Metro Area Top Doctors (2011-2016)
- Newsweek’s America’s Top Doctors for Cancer (2015)
- Korean American Medical Association Physician Leader Award (2015)
- Cycle for Survival Award for Ovarian Cancer Research (2016)
Fellowships
- Gynecologic Oncology - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Board Certifications
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Gynecologic Oncology
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Contact and Location
Dr. Chi sees patients at two locations.
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Colleagues
Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.
Clinical Trials
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Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.
You may be able to participate in a clinical trial even if you are new to MSK. Search our online directory to find trial information and see more about who can participate.
Search clinical trialsResearch and Publications
Books
Surgery for Ovarian Cancer: Principles and Practice. 3rd ed. Bristow RE, Karlan BY, Chi DS, eds. New York: Informa Healthcare; 2015.
Selected Book Chapters
“Cancer of the ovary, peritoneum, and fallopian tube.” Chi DS, Kauff ND. In: PRECIS: Oncology. 3rd ed. Danvers MA: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; 2007: 88-100.
“Cervical cancer.” Chi DS, Perez CA, Kavanagh J. In: Cancer Management: A Multidisciplinary Approach. 11th ed. Pazdur R, Wagman LD, Camphausen KA, Hoskins WJ, eds. Norwalk, CT: UBM Medica; 2008: 465-496.
“Pelvic exenteration.” Levine DA, Bochner BH, Chi DS. In: Atlas of Procedures in Gynecologic Oncology. 2nd ed. Levine DA, Barakat RR, Abu-Rustum NR, eds. London: Informa Healthcare; 2008: 93-116.
“Extended pelvic resection.” Diaz JP, Boland PJ, Chi DS, Abu-Rustum NR. In: Atlas of Procedures in Gynecologic Oncology. 2nd ed. Levine DA, Barakat RR, Abu-Rusturn NR, eds. London: Informa Healthcare; 2008: 137-144.
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“Hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy.” Diaz JP, Chi DS. In: Atlas of Procedures in Gynecologic Oncology. 2nd ed. Levine DA, Barakat RR, Abu-Rustum NR, eds. London: Informa Healthcare; 2008: 267-270.
“Surgical principles in gynecologic oncology.” Chi DS, Gallup DG, Bristow RE. In: Principles and Practice of Gynecologic Oncology. 5th ed. Barakat RR, Markman M, Randall ME, eds. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2009: 269-287.
“Secondary cytoreductive surgery.” Bristow RE, Chi DS. In: Surgery for Ovarian Cancer: Principles and Practice. 2nd ed. Bristow RE, Karlan BY, Chi DS, eds. New York: Informa Healthcare; 2010: 218-234.
“Advanced cytoreductive surgery program development: building a cytoreductive team.” Zivanovic 0, Chi DS, Karlan BY. In: Surgery for Ovarian Cancer: Principles and Practice. 2nd ed. Bristow RE, Karlan BY, Chi DS, eds. New York: Informa Healthcare; 2010: 291-300.
“Video-assisted thoracic surgery.” Eitan R, Chi DS. In: Textbook of Gynaecological Oncology. 2nd ed. Ayhan A, Reed N, Gultekin M, eds. Ankara, Turkey: Gunes Publishing; 2011.
“Secondary cytoreduction in the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer.” In: Textbook of Gynaecological Oncology. 2nd ed. Ayhan A, Reed N, Gultekin M, eds. Ankara, Turkey: Gunes Publishing; 2011.
Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Chi’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
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Disclosures
Doctors and faculty members often work with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology, and life sciences companies, and other organizations outside of MSK, to find safe and effective cancer treatments, to improve patient care, and to educate the health care community.
MSK requires doctors and faculty members to report (“disclose”) the relationships and financial interests they have with external entities. As a commitment to transparency with our community, we make that information available to the public.
Dennis S. Chi discloses the following relationships and financial interests:
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Apyx Medical Corporation
Equity -
AstraZeneca
Professional Services and Activities -
Biom'Up SA
Professional Services and Activities -
BioNTech
Equity -
Doximity, Inc.
Equity -
McGraw-Hill Education
Intellectual Property Rights
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Moderna, Inc.
Equity -
Oncoinvent AS
Professional Services and Activities -
Taylor & Francis Group
Intellectual Property Rights -
Verthermia
Equity -
Wolters Kluwer
Intellectual Property Rights
If you’re a patient at MSK and would like more information about your doctor’s external relationships, please talk with your doctor.
The information published here is for a specific annual disclosure period. There may be differences between information on this and other public sites as a result of different reporting periods and/or the various ways relationships and financial interests are categorized by organizations that publish such data.
This page and data include information for a specific MSK annual disclosure period (January 1, 2023 through disclosure submission in spring 2024). This data reflects interests that may or may not still exist. This data is updated annually.
Learn more about MSK’s COI policies here. For questions regarding MSK’s COI-related policies and procedures, email MSK’s Compliance Office at [email protected].