Memorial Sloan Kettering surgeon Gaetano Rocco

Gaetano Rocco, MD

Thoracic Surgeon

My Role at MSK

Areas of Expertise

My Specialties

Primary and Metastatic Tumors of the Lung, Chest Wall, Mediastinum, Pleura, and Airway
Lung Cancer
Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques

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Dr. Rocco's Office Information

Languages: English & Italian

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About Me

What I Do at MSK

Attending Surgeon

Get To Know Me

I am a surgeon who cares for people with lung cancer. I specialize in treating lung nodules, pleural effusions, chest wall tumors, and cancer that has spread to the lungs from other parts of the body.

Whenever possible, I use minimally invasive surgical procedures. These have been shown to reduce patients’ pain and discomfort and decrease their time in the hospital. I also have expertise in chest wall reconstruction following surgery to remove chest wall tumors.

As an experienced thoracic surgeon, I use the most-advanced techniques and standards of practice aimed at improving patient outcomes. I work with an outstanding team of dedicated professionals. Every year, I perform about 220 operations and care for more than 800 patients in my practice.

I offer all of the procedures available to treat thoracic cancer. These include the single-incision approach (uniportal access) to the chest, thoracoscopic surgery (also called video-assisted thoracic surgery, or VATS), and open chest wall resections and reconstructions. I work with my patients and other members of their care team to select the type of operation that will be most effective in treating their disease.

I am also involved in several clinical trials that have shown promise in managing thoracic conditions. My research includes studies of surgery combined with immunotherapy for the treatment of advanced lung cancer. I am also interested in exploring new technologies that improve lung cancer diagnosis and minimally invasive surgical techniques.

I was inspired to become a surgical oncologist by the ambition to contribute to the fight against cancer. When patients meet with me for the first time, my goal is to successfully address their concerns. These may range from questions about their prognosis or pain after surgery to how long it will take to return to their normal activities.

People with lung cancer can be confident in the individualized treatment plan they will receive in an environment like Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which offers state-of-the-art technology and outstanding care. I hope that my patients feel reassured in knowing that I am a dependable, consistent, and skilled thoracic surgeon, and I do my best to bring a human touch to their care.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family. I also appreciate fine art, especially 16th- and 17th-century European paintings.

My Role at MSK

A thoracic (thor-A-sik) surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the chest, lungs, trachea (windpipe), and thymus.

My Specialties

Primary and Metastatic Tumors of the Lung, Chest Wall, Mediastinum, Pleura, and Airway
Lung Cancer
Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques
Uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Education

MD, University of Milan, Italy

Residencies

General Surgery – University of Milan Hospitals, Italy
Thoracic Surgery – University of Milan Hospitals, Italy

Awards and Honors

Lifetime Achievement Award, European Society of Thoracic Surgery (2022)
Alumnus d’Honore, Hopital Marie-Lannelongue-Universite Sud, France (2011)
President, European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS, 2008)Silver Medal “Aesculapius,” Italian Minister of Health for Professional Achievements (2006)
Fellowship, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCSEd – 2004)

Fellowships

Advanced General Thoracic Surgery – Mayo Clinic

Board Certifications

General Surgery
Thoracic Surgery

Insurance Information

Understanding your insurance options is an important part of managing your cancer care. We have relationships with many common healthcare providers and plans.

Aetna

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HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant

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Aetna Medicare Advantage (MTA retirees only)

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Anthem BCBS and other BCBS licensee plans

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Anthem BCBS Health Plus

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Anthem Blue Cross Medicare Advantage

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Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program

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Blue Cross Blue Shield states outside of NY/NJ

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Carrum Health

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Cigna

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Connecticare

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Emblem

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PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Emblem to learn more.

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Emblem Essential

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Emblem Medicare Advantage (Medicare Choice PPO Network and VIP Prime Network Only)

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Empire Essential

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Empire Plan / NYSHIP (Blue Cross/UnitedHealthcare split plan)

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Fidelis

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Fidelis Managed Medicaid & HARP

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Fidelis Medicare Advantage

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First Health

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Healthfirst

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Healthfirst Managed Medicaid

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Healthfirst Medicare Advantage

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Healthsmart

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Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (HMO)

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Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (PPO)

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Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier I (EPO)

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Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier II (EPO)

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Horizon Medicare Advantage

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Husky CT Medicaid

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Magnacare

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Straight NJ Medicaid

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Straight NY Medicaid

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Medicare Part A&B (traditional Medicare)

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Multiplan/Beech Street/PHCS

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MVP

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Non-Participating Plans with Out of Network Benefits

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NYC Medicare Advantage Plus for City Employees

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Oscar

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Oxford

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World Trade Center Health Program (WTC)

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Qualcare

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Tricare

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UMR

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United Healthcare

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Don't see your carrier or plan? We can help you understand your coverage.

If you don't have health insurance or are worried that your care may not be fully covered, our financial assistance programs may be able to help.

If you have questions about insurance, call us at 646-497-9176.

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Current Patients

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Contact and Location

Dr. Rocco sees patients at two locations.

Office Phone

212-639-3478

Location

New York, NY

Middletown, NJ

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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.

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Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials Co-Investigated by Dr. Rocco
A Phase II Study of Alectinib, Entrectinib, or Vemurafenib/Cobimetinib Therapy Before Surgery in Patients with Nonmetastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Certain Molecular Changes

Find a Clinical Trial for You

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.

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Research and Publications

Dr. Rocco is a co-editor of Shields’ General Thoracic Surgery, the reference standard textbook on thoracic surgery.Rocco G. One-port (uniportal) video-assisted thoracic surgical resections—a clear advance. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2012;144(3):S27-S31.

Rocco G, Martucci N, La Manna C, Jones DR, De Luca G, La Rocca A, Cuomo A, Accardo R. Ten-year experience on 644 patients undergoing single-port (uniportal) video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Ann Thorac Surg. 2013;96(2):434-438.

Rocco G, Martucci N, La Rocca A, La Manna C, De Luca G, Fazioli F, Mori S. Postoperative local morbidity and the use of vacuum-assisted closure after complex chest wall reconstructions with new and conventional materials. Ann Thorac Surg. 2014;98(1):291-296.

Rocco G, Pennazza G, Santonico M, Longo F, Rocco R, Crucitti P, Antonelli Incalzi R. Breathprinting and early diagnosis of lung cancer. J Thorac Oncol. 2018;13(7):883-894.

Jones GD, Caso R, No JS, Tan KS, Dycoco J, Bains MS, Rusch VW, Huang J, Isbell JM, Molena D, Park BJ, Jones DR, Rocco G. Prognostic factors following complete resection of non-superior sulcus lung cancer invading the chest wall. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2020;58(1):78-85.

Jones GD, Tan KS, Caso R, Dycoco J, Park BJ, Bott MJ, Molena D, Huang J, Isbell JM, Bains MS, Jones DR, Rocco G. Time-varying analysis of readmission and mortality during the first year after pneumonectomy. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2020;160(1):247-255.

Jones GD, Caso R, Choe G, Tan KS, Connolly JG, Dycoco J, Molena D, Park BJ, Huang J, Adusumilli PS, Bott MJ, Downey RJ, Travis WD, Jones DR, Rocco G. Intentional segmentectomy for clinical T1N0 non-small cell lung cancer: survival differs by segment. Ann Thorac Surg. 2021;111(3):1028-1035.

Keshava HB, Tan KS, Dycoco J, Livschitz J, Bott MJ, Huang J, Rusch VW, Isbell JM, Molena D, Bains MS, Jones DR, Rocco G. How effective is neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery for pathologic single-station N2 non-small cell lung cancer? Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2021;33(1):206-216.

Ferguson BD, Jones GD, Skovgard M, Molena D, Huang J, Bott MJ, Sihag S, Park BJ, Adusumilli PS, Downey RJ, Isbell JM, Rusch VW, Bains MS, Jones DR, Rocco G. Is routine chest radiography necessary after endobronchial ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration? Ann Thorac Surg. 2021;112(2):467-472.

Jones GD, Lengel HB, Hsu M, Tan KS, Caso R, Ghanie A, Connolly JG, Bains MS, Rusch VW, Huang J, Park BJ, Gomez DR, Jones DR, Rocco G. Management of synchronous extrathoracic oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Cancers (Basel). 2021;13(8):1893.

Connolly JG, Fiasconaro M, Tan KS, Cirelli MA Jr, Jones GD, Caso R, Mansour DE, Dycoco J, No JS, Molena D, Isbell JM, Park BJ, Bott MJ, Jones DR, Rocco G. Postinduction therapy pulmonary function retesting is necessary before surgical resection for non-small cell lung cancer. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2022;164(2):389-397.

de Angelis P, Tan KS, Chudgar NP, Dycoco J, Adusumilli PS, Bains MS, Bott MJ, Downey RJ, Huang J, Isbell JM, Molena D, Park BJ, Rusch VW, Sihag S, Jones DR, Rocco G. Operative time is associated with postoperative complications after pulmonary lobectomy. Ann Surg. 2022 [Online ahead of print].

Vanstraelen S, Jones DR, Rocco G. Breathprinting analysis and biomimetic sensor technology to detect lung cancer. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2023;166(2):357-361.

Vanstraelen S, Moonsamy P, Bains MS, Shahzad F, Allen RJ Jr, Matros E, Coriddi MR, Park BJ, Jones DR, Rocco G. Biosandwich technique for extensive chest wall reconstruction in patients with complex defects. JTCVS Tech. 2023;18:164-167.

Vanstraelen S, Ali B, Bains MS, Shahzad F, Allen RJ Jr, Matros E, Dycoco J, Adusumilli PS, Bott MJ, Downey RJ, Huang J, Isbell JM, Molena D, Park BJ, Rusch VW, Sihag S, Cordeiro PG, Coriddi MR, Dayan JH, Disa J, McCarthy CM, Nelson JA, Stern C, Mehrara B, Jones DR, Rocco G. The contribution of microvascular free flaps and pedicled flaps to successful chest wall surgery. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2023 [Online ahead of print].

Publications on PubMed

Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Rocco’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.

Gaetano Rocco discloses the following relationships and financial interests:

Medtronic
Professional Services and Activities
Merck Sharp & Dohme Ireland (Human Health) Ltd
Professional Services and Activities

Scanlan International
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 a complement to other publicly reported data and 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].

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