Dr. Raja M. Flores

Doctor Overview

Dr. Raja M. Flores is a leading expert in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. He is chairman of the department of thoracic surgery at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Arabic, allowing him to better serve the diverse population of New York City.

Dr. Flores has an extensive background and education in surgery. He has certifications from the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He also completed a clinical effectiveness program at Harvard’s School of Public Health and received an M.S. in biostatistics from Columbia University.

When it comes to specialties, Dr. Flores is one of the foremost experts on the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy procedure. It’s a minimally invasive surgery that removes part of the lung to help combat lung cancer. It has resulted in quicker recoveries for patients compared to some other surgeries.

In addition to treating patients, Dr. Flores also has an active role in research for mesothelioma and other diseases. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and led many clinical trials. In one, he sought to improve patient outcomes in extrapleural pneumonectomy. The surgery removes a diseased lung and several muscles and membranes in the chest. He combined the surgery with other treatments, including chemotherapy and high-dose radiation. Dr. Flores is also experienced in other mesothelioma surgeries, including pleurectomy/decortication.

Beyond treating patients and research, Dr. Flores also teaches thoracic surgery at Icahn School of Medicine in New York. He previously taught as an associate professor at Cornell University.

Doctor Fast Facts

Main Specialty: Thoracic Surgery

Other Interests & Specialties: Mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, VATS, adult general thoracic surgery, minimally invasive thoracic surgery and thoracic surgical oncology.

Certifications, Awards & Accolades: Merit awards from American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS), The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), General Thoracic Surgical Club (GTSC), Cardiothoracic Surgery Network (CTSNet), European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) and International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS)

Education & Experience:

• Master of Surgery from Columbia University
• Medical Degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• Residency at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center
• Residency in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
• Thoracic Oncology Clinical Research Fellowship at Dana–Farber Cancer Institute

Did You Know? There are approximately 3,000 mesothelioma cases per year in the U.S. Many doctors have little or no experience with this rare cancer. It is imperative to consult with an experienced mesothelioma specialist to ensure you or a loved one receives the best treatment plan possible. Connect With a Top Mesothelioma Doctor

Publications

Effect of stage shift and immunotherapy treatment on lung cancer survival outcomes. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2023 Aug 1;64(2):ezad203.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma characteristics and outcomes: A SEER-Medicare analysis. J Surg Oncol. 2023 Jul;128(1):134–41.

Minimally invasive vs open lobectomy for lung cancer: safety is the selection bias. Ann Thorac Surg. 2023 Jan;115(1):191.

Systematic review of quality of life following pleurectomy decortication and extrapleural pneumonectomy for malignant pleural mesothelioma. BMC Cancer. 2018 Nov 29;18(1):1188.