Dr. Mario M. Leitao, Jr., MD

Dr. Mario M. Leitao, Jr., MD is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist who specializes in surgery for women with ovarian, endometrial, cervical, vulvar, or vaginal cancer.

Dr. Leitao, Jr. has a strong interest in providing minimally invasive surgical options for our patients, including both laparoscopic and robotic-assisted procedures. In 2006, he became one of the first gynecologic oncologists to use the da Vinci® Surgical System to perform robotically-assisted procedures in women with benign and malignant gynecologic conditions. Minimally invasive procedures result in less blood loss than do traditional surgeries, allowing for shorter hospital stays and faster recuperation time for patients. He serves as the Director for the Minimal Access and Robotic Surgery Program in the Department of Surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering and have helped to build one of the best and most experienced robotic surgery programs in the world across multiple surgical specialties.

Dr. Leitao, Jr. also performs radical procedures via traditional laparotomy in cases when these more-traditional surgeries may provide better results and longer survival. These include debulking for ovarian cancer and radical procedures for other gynecologic cancers. Additionally, using the robotic approach, I perform fertility-sparing surgery (radical trachelectomy) for women with early-stage cervical cancer. He continues to seek ways to improve outcomes for his patients and continuously seek to evaluate cutting edge technologies in surgery.

Dr. Leitao, Jr. also has a strong interest in clinical research. Research is vital for development of better treatments for all patients diagnosed with cancer. People with cancer face a difficult journey, and clinical trials are just one of the tools I offer my patients to help them during this time. He serves as the principal investigator at Memorial Sloan Kettering for the Gynecologic Oncology Group — a national group conducting quality cooperative research at many institutions throughout the country.

In 2004, Dr. Leitao, Jr. completed his fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering and received the Michael E. Burt Memorial Award for Clinical Excellence. He then became Director of Gynecologic Services at the New Jersey Medical School, where he received the National Faculty Award from the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He joined the Memorial Sloan Kettering staff in 2007. He is is a member of many medical societies and the author of peer-reviewed scientific articles, chapters, and reviews.