Dr. Paul Russo

Dr. Paul Russo, MD, FACS, is a highly experienced urologic surgeon specializing in the treatment of kidney (renal cell) cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. With more than 30 years of clinical experience, he performs approximately 250 major operations each year, treating patients across all stages of disease, from small localized tumors to advanced cancers that have spread to lymph nodes or major vessels. Deeply committed to personalized care, Dr. Russo works closely with each patient to reassure them and tailor treatment plans designed to achieve the best possible outcome.

Dr. Russo's surgical expertise centers on nephron-sparing approaches, particularly partial nephrectomy for smaller kidney tumors, a technique that removes the tumor while preserving the majority of the kidney, protecting renal function and reducing the risk of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular complications. For patients with larger or more advanced tumors, he performs radical nephrectomy, including cases involving vascular or lymph node involvement. He collaborates regularly with medical oncology colleagues to integrate surgery into clinical trials, exploring whether chemotherapies given before or after surgery can improve patient outcomes. At MSK, he leads a multidisciplinary research team comprising surgeons, oncologists, epidemiologists, pathologists, molecular biologists, and radiologists, whose work spans both basic science and clinical kidney cancer research. The team publishes widely and presents at national and international conferences.

Dr. Russo comes from a family of physicians, including a father who was a urologist, and was drawn to oncology by a desire to help patients with cancer and advance understanding of the disease. His research program attracts medical students and residents interested in academic careers, and he is a sought-after visiting professor in countries including Cuba, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Outside of medicine, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, cooking, reading, and traveling.