Expansion in Gynecologic Oncology at NYM

Aug 27, 2008

Doctor explaining to his patient

Constantine Gorelick, M.D. of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at New York Methodist Hospital, with a patient.

Constantine Gorelick, M.D., recently joined New York Methodist Hospital's gynecologic oncology team and is spearheading the extension of several services offered to women with ovarian cancer and other conditions at New York Methodist Hospital.

Dr. Gorelick, who attended medical school at SUNY/Stony Brook, completed a residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at SUNY/Downstate Medical Center, will offer a peritoneal chemotherapy program for patients with ovarian cancer. "We are able to provide the latest and most comprehensive gynecologic cancer care to women in our community," said Katherine Economos, M.D., director of gynecologic oncology.

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is the latest and most preferred chemotherapy treatment for many patients with ovarian cancer. " This very effective treatment is designed for patients with a minimal amount of cancerous tissue remaining after initial surgery," said Dr. Economos. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy, which follows the surgical removal of the tumor and other cancerous tissues, involves introducing drugs directly into the abdominal cavity via a small catheter or tube. The drugs fill the abdominal cavity area and coat the remaining tumor cells like a wash, resulting in the eradication of cancer cells.

Dr. Gorelick explains that medical advances are only part of his patient care equation. He works closely with patients to monitor treatment and to tailor it to meet individual needs. "I am concerned about how my patients will get to their appointments, how their environment at home impacts their treatment, how they get their prescription medications and more," said Dr. Gorelick "attention to detail is a crucial part of patient care." For this reason, he makes family meetings and individualized care a priority.

Dr. Gorelick also performs laparoscopic procedures for the treatment of complex non-cancerous illnesses, such as some uterine fibroids and to determine staging of endometrial cancer.

"With Dr. Gorelick comes extensive experience and a special interest in advanced and minimally invasive procedures," said Vincent Pillari, chairman of obstetrics and gynecology "Dr. Gorelick's expertise is a great addition to the strong program that Dr. Economos has built during the past several years. We are proud to offer women a full range of choices."

For further information, contact the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Division of Gynecologic Oncology, at New York Methodist Hospital, 718-780-3090.