Duan Li, MD

Duan Li, MD

My dual expertise in body imaging and interventional radiology enables me to fill a distinctive position in the Radiology Department at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. I am one of a very few in the department to combine diagnostic with interventional responsibilities. My hospital work reaches into three areas: performing basic diagnostic exams using ultrasound; performing interventional (IR) procedures and biopsies under the guidance of ultrasound, CT, and fluoroscopy; and doing intraoperative, image-guided procedures in the operating room.

When I joined the Memorial Sloan-Kettering faculty in January 2008, the only ultrasound-guided biopsies performed were of the thyroid. Since then, I have extended this service to include biopsies of the abdomen, pelvis, musculoskeletal organs, and lymph nodes. I have also initiated a program of transvaginal ultrasound-guided biopsies. Ultrasound-guided biopsies often provide a safer, quicker, more-comfortable experience for the patient, with a quicker recovery time, than when CT and fluoroscope guidance is required.

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I further use transvaginal and transrectal ultrasound to guide IR procedures in the operating room. I work closely with gynecologists in the operating room to rebuild the cervical canal in patients with cervical cancer, thereby facilitating pregnancy and monitoring of the uterus.

In the research realm, I am fine-tuning fusion techniques in which ultrasound, CT, and MRI images are correlated and superimposed one on top of the other to pinpoint lesions with great precision. I am also investigating the utility of elastography, which employs the principle that cancerous tissue is stiffer than normal tissue, with the end-goal of minimizing unnecessary biopsies. These techniques have useful implications in the operating room in providing guidance for tumor ablation, pelvic lymph node dissection, and prostate surgery.

Administratively, I am currently an active member of the Hepatobiliary Disease Management Team at Memorial Sloan-Kettering and also serve on the Department of Radiology Research and Quality Assurance Committees.

Above all, I continue to seek ways to use radiology techniques in order to enhance patient comfort and well- being.

Location

New York City

Phone

212-639-2185

Clinical Expertise

Body Imaging; Interventional Radiology

Languages Spoken

English

Education

MD, Shanghai Medical University (China)

Residencies

Beijing Hospital (China)

Fellowships

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School; NYU Medical Center

See My Colleagues in:

abdomen (AB-doh-men)

The area of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

ablation (a-BLAY-shun)

In medicine, the removal or destruction of a body part or tissue or its function. Ablation may be performed by surgery, hormones, drugs, radiofrequency, heat, or other methods.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cervical (SER-vih-kul)

Relating to the neck, or to the neck of any organ or structure. Cervical lymph nodes are located in the neck. Cervical cancer refers to cancer of the uterine cervix, which is the lower, narrow end (the “neck”) of the uterus.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cervical cancer (SER-vih-kul KAN-ser)

Cancer that forms in tissues of the cervix (the organ connecting the uterus and vagina). It is usually a slow-growing cancer that may not have symptoms but can be found with regular Pap tests (a procedure in which cells are scraped from the cervix and looked at under a microscope). Cervical cancer is almost always caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

fluoroscope (FLOOR-oh-skope)

An x-ray machine that makes it possible to see internal organs in motion.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

hepatobiliary (heh-PA-toh-BIH-lee-AYR-ee)

Having to do with the liver, bile ducts, and/or gallbladder.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

imaging (IH-muh-jing)

In medicine, a process that makes pictures of areas inside the body. Imaging uses methods such as x-rays (high-energy radiation), ultrasound (high-energy sound waves), and radio waves.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

lymph (limf)

The clear fluid that travels through the lymphatic system and carries cells that help fight infections and other diseases. Also called lymphatic fluid.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

lymph node (limf node)

A rounded mass of lymphatic tissue that is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. Lymph nodes filter lymph (lymphatic fluid), and they store lymphocytes (white blood cells). They are located along lymphatic vessels. Also called lymph gland.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

MRI

A procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures can show the difference between normal and diseased tissue. MRI makes better images of organs and soft tissue than other scanning techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) or x-ray. MRI is especially useful for imaging the brain, the spine, the soft tissue of joints, and the inside of bones. Also called magnetic resonance imaging, NMRI, and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

musculoskeletal (MUS-kyoo-loh-SKEH-leh-tul)

Having to do with muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

pelvic (PEL-vik)

Having to do with the pelvis (the lower part of the abdomen located between the hip bones).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

pelvis (PEL-vus)

The lower part of the abdomen, located between the hip bones.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

pregnancy (PREG-nun-see)

The condition between conception (fertilization of an egg by a sperm) and birth, during which the fertilized egg develops in the uterus. In humans, pregnancy lasts about 288 days.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

prostate (PROS-tayt)

A gland in the male reproductive system. The prostate surrounds the part of the urethra (the tube that empties the bladder) just below the bladder, and produces a fluid that forms part of the semen.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

quality assurance (KWAH-lih-tee uh-SHOOR-ents)

A process that looks at activities or products on a regular basis to make sure they are being done at the required level of excellence. In clinical trials, quality assurance makes sure that all parts of the trial follow the law and the Good Clinical Practice guidelines. Also called QA.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

radiology (RAY-dee-AH-loh-jee)

The use of radiation (such as x-rays) or other imaging technologies (such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging) to diagnose or treat disease.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

surgery (SER-juh-ree)

A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

thyroid (THY-royd)

A gland located beneath the larynx (voice box) that makes thyroid hormone and calcitonin. The thyroid helps regulate growth and metabolism. Also called thyroid gland.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

tissue (TIH-shoo)

A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

transrectal ultrasound (tranz-REK-tul UL-truh-SOWND)

A procedure in which a probe that sends out high-energy sound waves is inserted into the rectum. The sound waves are bounced off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echoes form a picture of body tissue called a sonogram. Transrectal ultrasound is used to look for abnormalities in the rectum and nearby structures, including the prostate. Also called endorectal ultrasound, ERUS, and TRUS.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

tumor (TOO-mer)

An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancer), or malignant (cancer). Also called neoplasm.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

ultrasound (UL-truh-SOWND)

A procedure in which high-energy sound waves are bounced off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echo patterns are shown on the screen of an ultrasound machine, forming a picture of body tissues called a sonogram. Also called ultrasonography.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

uterus (YOO-teh-rus)

The small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis. This is the organ in which a fetus develops. Also called womb.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)