Dr. Paul E. Oberstein

Dr. Paul E. Oberstein is a board-certified medical oncologist devoted to gastrointestinal malignancies. He directs the Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Program at NYU Langone Health and serves as associate professor of medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. His leadership includes oversight of clinics that integrate surgery, radiation, genetics, and supportive services for pancreatic, gastric, colorectal, bile duct, and liver cancers. After earning his medical degree he completed internal-medicine residency, fellowship in hematology–oncology, and graduate study in biostatistics, creating a clinician-scientist who matches rigorous data analysis with individualized care. Colleagues describe his judgment as disciplined and ethical, qualities that anchor a practice balancing science with compassion.

 

Dr. Oberstein believes effective cancer care begins with conversations that honor personal priorities. He schedules extended first visits so patients can voice fears and logistical barriers before therapy is discussed. Subsequent encounters use plain language, diagrams, and written summaries to guide decisions about chemotherapy, trial enrollment, or palliative measures. Nurse navigators, dietitians, psychologists, and financial counselors address emotional and practical needs, while telehealth and secure messaging keep distant families engaged. Independent patient-review sites repeatedly praise his thorough explanations and respectful listening, reflecting a pattern of shared decision-making that improves adherence and quality of life.

 

Outside the clinic, Dr. Oberstein advances gastrointestinal oncology through investigator-initiated and cooperative-group trials exploring targeted agents, immunotherapy, and microbiome-driven approaches. As assistant director of the Pancreatic Cancer Center he bridges laboratory findings with early-phase studies on drug resistance and tumor microenvironment. His recent publications span microbiome influences on pancreatic-cancer survival, immune modulation with IL-1β blockade, and novel CD40 agonist combinations. Journals such as Future Oncology, mSystems, and Cancer Research Communications reflect his widely cited output. Societies including the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Association for Cancer Research have honored him with competitive investigator awards, and he mentors fellows on rigorous study design and open-data practice.