Dr. Gaetano Rocco

Dr. Gaetano Rocco, MD, is a globally respected thoracic surgeon and academic leader specializing in lung and chest wall cancers. He holds the position of Attending Surgeon in the Thoracic Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and serves as Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Rocco earned his medical degree from the University of Naples and completed extensive training in thoracic surgery in both Europe and the United States. Board-certified in thoracic surgery, he provides advanced surgical care to patients with lung, pleural, and mediastinal malignancies, emphasizing minimally invasive techniques and organ-preserving procedures.

Dr. Rocco is internationally recognized for his pioneering contributions to thoracic surgical oncology, particularly in complex chest wall resections and reconstructions. His clinical research has advanced the understanding of surgical margins, resection classifications, and long-term outcomes in thoracic malignancies. He has published over 400 peer-reviewed articles and several book chapters, and serves on the editorial boards of major surgical journals. He is a frequent invited speaker at global oncology and surgery conferences, where he shares his expertise in robotic thoracic surgery and innovative multidisciplinary treatment models.

In addition to his surgical and research accomplishments, Dr. Rocco is a dedicated educator and mentor. He has trained a generation of thoracic surgeons across continents and contributes to international surgical guidelines and consensus statements. He holds leadership roles in key professional organizations, including the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer and the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Through his commitment to surgical excellence, research innovation, and global collaboration, Dr. Rocco continues to influence the field of thoracic oncology on an international scale.