James Huang, MD

I am a surgeon who specializes in the treatment of cancers of the chest including lung cancer, esophageal cancer, thymoma, thymic carcinoma, mediastinal tumors, lung metastases, and mesothelioma. When possible, I utilize minimally invasive surgical techniques to reduce trauma and speed the recovery process. Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy permits the removal of lung tumors through small incisions, and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) now provides a much less invasive method to biopsy and stage lung cancer.

I have a special interest in the treatment of patients with thymoma, thymic carcinoma, and other mediastinal tumors. My research centers on increasing our knowledge about these uncommon diseases. By examining the genetic and molecular characteristics of thymomas and thymic carcinomas, we can better understand how these tumors develop and can create new targeted therapies to treat them. To enhance the quality of our care, I developed and maintain the Memorial Sloan-Kettering thymoma database to follow the outcomes of our patients. My colleagues and I are actively pursuing clinical trials to find more-effective therapies to treat these tumors. The treatment of these tumors often requires a collaborative effort between surgeons, oncologists and radiation oncologists, and we are fortunate here at Memorial Sloan-Kettering to have a team of experts specifically interested in thymoma and thymic carcinoma.