Dr. James M. IsbellCI

I am a thoracic surgeon who cares for people with cancers of the chest. These include lung cancer, esophageal cancer, mediastinal tumors, thymic tumors, mesothelioma and chest wall tumors, as well as cancers that have metastasized (spread) to the lung from other parts of the body.

I have particular expertise in minimally invasive techniques such as robotic-assisted and video-assisted thoracic surgery, which can help minimize pain and speed recovery. I see approximately 400 patients with cancers of the chest each year and perform approximately 300 procedures annually. I strive to use minimally invasive approaches whenever possible so patients can recover as quickly as possible.

Having experienced cancer in several members of my own family, I can relate to how patients and their families may feel overwhelmed by a new cancer diagnosis and the potential treatment options.  It can be intimidating to select which treatment is right for them. I take the time to answer patients’ questions so they have all the information they need to decide the next steps in their care. I work closely with my colleagues in medical oncology, radiation oncology, and pathology to develop a treatment plan for each patient that reflects their wishes for the best possible outcome and an improved quality of life.

In addition to being a thoracic surgeon, I am board-certified in surgical critical care and take care of patients in MSK’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU). I also serve as Director of the Memorial Hospital Step-Down Unit, which provides care for medical and surgical patients who need intermediate-level care.

As Co-Director of MSK’s multidisciplinary Thoracic Liquid Biopsy Program, I research liquid biopsies － technologies that test blood and other fluids and are therefore less invasive than tissue biopsies. Liquid biopsies can improve the early detection and precision treatment of lung cancer, as well as monitor changes in a patient’s disease. I am leading clinical trials to investigate whether a liquid biopsy is useful in guiding treatment decisions among patients with early lung cancers that can be surgically removed, and to test for the very first signs that their cancer has recurred when there is a better chance of curative treatment.

I also study ways to better predict complications after surgery to help patients with thoracic cancers decide which treatment is best for them.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my wife, who is a pediatrician, and our three children. We have fun going hiking and camping and often take weekend road trips. We also love traveling. Our most memorable trip was to Ireland, and we look forward to planning our next vacation together.