NYU Langone Health has opened the Perlmutter Cancer Center—Staten Island, expanding access to cancer care for residents and the surrounding communities. Perlmutter Cancer Center, designated a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), is ranked among the top 20 hospitals for cancer in the nation. The new location opened its doors on May 1 and is the only NCI-designated cancer center on Staten Island.
[Photo above: A patient being seen by Dr. Ramtin Moradi and Dr. Seetha Murukutla at Perlmutter Cancer Center—Staten Island. Photo by: NYU Langone]
The expansion comes at a critical time for Staten Island, which consistently reports the highest overall cancer incidence rate of any New York City borough. Recent data show that the borough’s rate of all invasive malignant tumors is roughly 510 cases per 100,000—nearly 20 percent higher than the New York City average.
Perlmutter Cancer Center—Staten Island is the result of a strategic partnership between NYU Langone and New York Cancer & Blood Specialists, whose location at 2801 Richmond Avenue was transformed into the new center. In this unique model, which reflects NYU Langone’s continued investment in expanding access to high-quality, specialized care across New York City, patients can continue seeing their New York Cancer & Blood Specialists physicians and care teams while benefiting from Perlmutter Cancer Center’s clinical expertise, research infrastructure, and advanced treatment options.
The 45,000-square-foot facility, directly across from the Staten Island Mall, offers a full spectrum of cancer services in one setting. The center features advanced diagnostic and imaging capabilities, including CT, MRI, PET/CT, mammography, ultrasound, and X-ray, enabling comprehensive evaluation and treatment planning. On-site infusion, pharmaceutical, and laboratory services further streamline care, reducing the need for multiple appointments and supporting a more coordinated, efficient patient experience.
“Expanding into Staten Island allows us to extend our multidisciplinary model of care to more patients across New York City,” said Oren Cahlon, MD, chief clinical officer and executive vice president and vice dean for clinical affairs and strategy at NYU Langone. “We bring together leading clinicians, innovative treatments, and access to more than 200 clinical trials to ensure that patients on Staten Island can benefit from the same level of advanced cancer care available across our system.”
“We are proud to partner with NYU Langone, expanding our patients’ access to their great expertise and tremendous resources across Perlmutter Cancer Center,” said New York Cancer & Blood Specialists CEO Jeffrey Vacirca, MD, FACP. “Building upon the great reputation we’ve established here on Staten Island, we are better positioned than ever to continue providing exceptional care to our community.”
“This collaboration offers comprehensive cancer care to a borough where the need is significant,” said John P. Leonard, MD, the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and chief clinical officer for enterprise cancer strategy and operations. “By integrating local expertise with the depth of Perlmutter Cancer Center, we are reducing barriers to treatment, improving outcomes, and enhancing both the quality and coordination of care available to Staten Island residents.”
Several of the most common cancers on Staten Island also exceed citywide averages. Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the borough, with incidence rates more than 12 percent higher than the New York City average. Prostate cancer is the second most common, followed by lung, bronchus, and thyroid cancers, which occur at significantly higher rates than in other boroughs.
