Nicholas Vander Els, MD

Nicholas Vander Els, MD

I am a pulmonologist with decades of experience in diagnosing and treating patients who suffer from lung conditions and complications caused by cancer and its treatment.

In addition to seeing patients in our outpatient pulmonary clinics, I consult on inpatient and outpatient cases throughout the hospital. I also perform procedures such as thoracentesis (drainage of fluid surrounding the lung), catheter placement in the pleural cavity (the space surrounding the lungs in the rib cage), and bronchoscopy. I am also experienced in performing endobronchial ultrasound to diagnose lymph nodes in the chest.

In my years at Memorial Sloan-Kettering – I joined the faculty in 1991 – I also have participated in research to evaluate patient tolerance to varying levels of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other forms of cancer treatment. I am also very involved in training our distinguished group of fellows.

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I am a long-term member of the American College of Physicians and the American Thoracic Society, and am a fellow with the American College of Chest Physicians. I have been on the Executive Committee of the New York Thoracic Society since 2011, and have been an ad hoc reviewer for journals such as the European Respiratory Journal, Cancer Investigation, Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Chest, and the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

Location

New York City

Phone

212-639-7682

Clinical Expertise

Pulmonary Disease in the Immunocompromised Patient; Pulmonary Complications of Cancer and Therapy; Pulmonary Complications Associated with HIV Infection; Photodynamic Therapy; Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing

Languages Spoken

English

Education

MD, New York University School of Medicine

Residencies

Beth Israel Medical Center (New York)

Fellowships

St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center

Board Certifications

Internal Medicine; Pulmonary Disease; Critical Care Medicine

See My Colleagues in:

Department of Medicine›Pulmonary Service

Publications by Nicholas Vander Els

Visit PubMed for full listing of Nicholas Vander Els journal articles

Pubmed is an online index of biomedical articles maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

bronchoscopy (bron-KOS-koh-pee)

A procedure that uses a bronchoscope to examine the inside of the trachea, bronchi (air passages that lead to the lungs), and lungs. A bronchoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue to be checked under a microscope for signs of disease. The bronchoscope is inserted through the nose or mouth. Bronchoscopy may be used to detect cancer or to perform some treatment procedures.

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)

cardiopulmonary (KAR-dee-oh-PUL-muh-NAYR-ee)

Having to do with the heart and lungs.

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

catheter (KA-theh-ter)

A flexible tube used to deliver fluids into or withdraw fluids from the body.

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

cavity (KA-vih-tee)

A hollow area or hole. It may describe a body cavity (such as the space within the abdomen) or a hole in a tooth caused by decay.

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

chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee)

Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.

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

fluid (FLOO-id)

A substance that flows smoothly and takes the shape of its container. Liquids and gases are fluids.

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

HIV

The cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Also called human immunodeficiency virus.

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

immunocompromised (IH-myoo-noh-KOM-proh-mized)

Having a weakened immune system caused by certain diseases or treatments.

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

lung (lung)

One of a pair of organs in the chest that supplies the body with oxygen, and removes carbon dioxide from the body.

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)

medicine (MEH-dih-sin)

Refers to the practices and procedures used for the prevention, treatment, or relief of symptoms of a diseases or abnormal conditions. This term may also refer to a legal drug used for the same purpose.

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

National Institutes of Health (NA-shuh-nul IN-stih-TOOTS … helth)

A federal agency in the U.S. that conducts biomedical research in its own laboratories; supports the research of non-Federal scientists in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions throughout the country and abroad; helps in the training of research investigators; and fosters communication of medical information. Access the National Institutes of Health Web site at . Also called NIH.

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

outpatient (OWT-pay-shunt)

A patient who visits a health care facility for diagnosis or treatment without spending the night. Sometimes called a day patient.

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

pulmonary (PUL-muh-NAYR-ee)

Having to do with the lungs.

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

pulmonologist (PUL-muh-NAH-loh-jist)

A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the lungs. Also called pulmonary specialist.

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

radiation (RAY-dee-AY-shun)

Energy released in the form of particle or electromagnetic waves. Common sources of radiation include radon gas, cosmic rays from outer space, medical x-rays, and energy given off by a radioisotope (unstable form of a chemical element that releases radiation as it breaks down and becomes more stable).

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

therapy (THAYR-uh-pee)

Treatment.

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

thoracentesis (THOR-uh-sen-TEE-sis)

Removal of fluid from the pleural cavity through a needle inserted between the ribs.

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

thoracic (thor-A-sik)

Having to do with the chest.

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)