Memorial Sloan Kettering gastroenterologist Makoto Nishimura

Makoto Nishimura, MD

Areas of Expertise

Conditions I Treat

  • Gastrointestinal cancers and conditions

My Specialties

  • Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
  • Endoscopic submucosal dissection
  • Enteroscopy
Request an Appointment
Our Care Advisors can answer many of your questions. They will connect you with the best healthcare provider for your needs.
English
Share

Get to Know Me

I am a board-certified gastroenterologist who specializes in using minimally invasive endoscopic techniques to diagnosis and treat gastrointestinal cancers. I have particular expertise in performing endoscopic submucosal dissections (ESD) to safely remove gastrointestinal tumors. ESD allows patients to avoid extensive surgeries and the long recovery times they often require.

Read more

ESD was originally developed in my home country of Japan in the early 2000s. Doctors are still learning how it can be best used to help people with gastrointestinal cancers. I am one of a few gastroenterologists in the United States who have extensive experience performing ESD. I have successfully treated more than 950 people with this technique.

When I meet with patients who have an early-stage cancer, they are often worried about having to undergo a big operation. In many cases, I reassure them that we can find an option that will effectively treat their disease without drastically interfering with their life. If necessary, I will perform additional endoscopic tests to ensure that we make the best treatment decisions together.

We can also use minimally invasive techniques to help people with more-advanced cancers. For example, for people who have stomach (gastric) submucosal tumors, I can work with a surgeon to perform combined endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery.

My research involves looking for more ways to use endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) to treat pancreatobiliary cancers. I am currently working on a clinical trial with my colleagues in Japan to study how we can use EUS to deliver new medicines directly to pancreatic tumors that cannot be removed.

What I Do at MSK

A gastroenterologist (GAS-troh-EN-teh-RAH-loh-jist) is a doctor with special training in the gastrointestinal (GI) system. This includes the esophagus, intestines, stomach, bile ducts, gallbladder, liver, and pancreas.

  • Attending Physician
Areas of Expertise

Conditions I Treat

  • Gastrointestinal cancers and conditions

My Specialties

  • Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
  • Endoscopic submucosal dissection
  • Enteroscopy
  • Colonoscopy
Education & Honors

Education

  • MD, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan

Residencies

  • Japanese Red Cross Kumamoto Hospital

Fellowships

  • Gastroenterology – Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
  • Gastroenterology – Japanese Red Cross Kumamoto Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan
  • Oncology – Cancer Institute Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
  • Advanced Interventional Endoscopy – University of California, Irvine Medical Center

Board Certifications

  • Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (JGES)
  • Internal Medicine (JSIM)

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

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant

Aetna Medicare Advantage (MTA and NYC retirees only)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Anthem BCBS and other BCBS licensee plans

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Anthem BCBS Health Plus

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield states outside of NY/NJ

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS

Carrum Health

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

Cigna

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Connecticare

In Network Coverage Type
POS, EPO, HMO

First Health

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Straight NJ Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Straight NY Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Emblem

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

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

Emblem Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

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

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Empire Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

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

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Fidelis

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO

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

Fidelis Managed Medicaid & HARP

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Fidelis Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Healthfirst

In Network Coverage Type
EPO, HMO, PPO, POS

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

Healthfirst Managed Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Healthfirst Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

Healthsmart

In Network Coverage Type
PPO EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (HMO)

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (PPO)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

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

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

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

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

Horizon Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Husky CT Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Magnacare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO

Medicare Part A&B (traditional Medicare)

In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government

Metroplus

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

City Employee Health Plans (Gold and Gold Care)

Multiplan/Beech Street/PHCS

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

MVP

In Network Coverage Type
PPO/OAP

Non-Participating Plans with Out of Network Benefits

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

NYC Medicare Advantage Plus for City Employees

In Network Coverage Type
TBD

Oscar

In Network Coverage Type
HMO/EPO

Oxford

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, EPO

World Trade Center Health Program (WTC)

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Qualcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Tricare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

UMR

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS

United Healthcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

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.

Make an Appointment

Current Patients
Request an appointment by logging in to MSK MyChart or calling your Care Team. If you are not enrolled in MSK MyChart, ask your Care Team to send you an invitation. You can also go to MSK MyChart and select “Sign up now.”

Contact and Location

Dr. Nishimura sees patients at one location.

Office Phone
Location
New York, NY
160 East 53rd Street New York NY 10022
Map MarkerA msk map marker icon
Leaflet © OpenStreetMap contributors; © CARTO.

Looking to see a doctor at a different location? See all MSK locations.

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.

See all Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Service doctors

Clinical Trials

Smiling doctors in the lab
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.

Search clinical trials

Research and Publications

Publications on PubMed

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

See all on PubMed

Patient Reviews

Your trust is our main concern

We strive to keep reviews trustworthy, honest and fair. Learn more about our patient experience reviews.

4.9 159 reviews

  • 4.8 Provider's Explanations Easy to Understand
  • 4.8 Trusts Provider with Care
  • 4.8 Provider Listened Carefully
  • 4.9 Likelihood of Recommending Provider
Mar 19, 2025

Top class gold medal ? care


Mar 5, 2025

The check in people were close to rude. Maybe it was 8am and too early for them, but they didn't greet me. They just stared at me and after waiting a minute while she stared at me blankly, I had to say "good morning, I'd like to check in". I don't want to make a big deal, but when you're finding out how you are going to deal with your cancer, a small hello or smile would be welcome. I own a small business-so I'm probably more sensitive noticing such things- so please forgive me, but I had to tell you. Everyone else from that point on were so lovely and caring and interested in taking me through this journey with the best possible route using the best procedure for the best outcome for my case. They were amazing and I'm looking forward to being in their collective care.


Feb 26, 2025

Sloan Kettering cares about their Patients. They take their time and are absolutely excellent!!!!


Feb 12, 2025

MSK is Succinctly the best of the best


Jan 29, 2025

Very thorough, so I have a high level of confidence


View more +
Ratings and Comments Powered by NRC Health

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.

Makoto Nishimura discloses the following relationships and financial interests:

  • Boston Scientific
    Professional Services and Activities
  • Fujifilm Corporation
    Professional Services and Activities (Uncompensated)
  • Olympus
    Professional Services and Activities

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 ecoi@mskcc.org.


View all disclosures