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Memorial Sloan Kettering medical oncologist Andrea Cercek

Andrea Cercek, MD

Gastrointestinal Medical Oncologist

5.0 | 203 reviews

Areas of Expertise

Conditions I Treat

  • Colon cancer
  • Rectal cancer
  • Anal cancer

My Specialties

  • Clinical trials
  • Immunotherapy
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Dr. Cercek's Office Information
Languages: English & Spanish
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Get to Know Me

I am a physician-scientist and medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, particularly colorectal cancer, appendiceal (appendix) cancer, and bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma). I see patients at Rockefeller Outpatient Pavilion in New York City.

I am the Section Head of Colorectal Cancer and also the founder and co-director of the Center for Young Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). This clinic — the first of its kind in the world — is dedicated solely to the specific needs of people under 50 who have colorectal or other GI cancers.

This research and patient care center provides coordinated and holistic care that focuses on concerns including quality of life during and after treatment, preserving fertility, and the long-term effects of surviving cancer. 

Another important aim of our center is to answer the question of why cancer is becoming more prevalent in a younger generation, identify who is at risk, and how we can better screen them and prevent this cancer from occurring at such a young age. This MSK-led research has inspired centers worldwide and spurred national and international collaborations.

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My research is focused on novel biomarker-driven, therapeutic approaches and treatments for colorectal cancer and other GI malignancies. I design and execute multidisciplinary clinical trials and research initiatives with the goals of advancement of science and improvement in patient outcomes and quality of life.

Some of my current research is focused on investigating if the body’s own immune system could be deployed to attack cancer cells in early-stage rectal cancer, using a form of immunotherapy called a checkpoint inhibitor. We’ve seen great success with this type of immunotherapy in mismatch repair deficient tumors—tumors that form when the DNA mismatch repair system is unable to repair mistakes that happen during cell division—and are continuing to expand clinical trials to target other biomarkers. The goal of this work is to help people overcome cancer while preserving their quality of life and avoiding surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

In addition to my research and clinical care, I am a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) and play an active role and serve as an organizing member of several national and international committees including the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).

 

What I Do at MSK

I'm a gastrointestinal (GAS-troh-in-TES-tih-nul) medical oncologist, which is a cancer doctor who specializes in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. This includes anal, colorectal, esophageal, gastric (stomach), liver, and pancreatic cancers. We also treat GI stromal tumors and neuroendocrine tumors.

  • Section Head, Colorectal Cancer
  • Co-Director, Center for Young Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancers
Areas of Expertise

Conditions I Treat

  • Colon cancer
  • Rectal cancer
  • Anal cancer
  • Appendiceal (appendix) cancer and conditions
  • Bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma)

My Specialties

  • Clinical trials
  • Immunotherapy
Education & Honors

Education

  • MD, New York Medical College

Residencies

  • Internal Medicine - New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center

Fellowships

  • Hematology/Oncology - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Board Certifications

  • Internal Medicine
  • Medical Oncology

Awards and Honors

  • Castle Connolly: America’s Top Doctors (2022-2025)
  • TIME100 Most Influential People in Health (2024)
  • Castle Connolly: Top Doctors New York Metro Area (2022-2023)

Insurance Information

Understanding your insurance options is an important part of managing your cancer care. We have relationships with many common healthcare providers and plans.

Aetna

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant

Aetna Medicare Advantage (MTA and NYC retirees only)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Anthem BCBS and other BCBS licensee plans

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

See updates

Anthem BCBS Health Plus

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

See updates

Horizon Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Healthfirst Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

Fidelis Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

See updates

Blue Cross Blue Shield states outside of NY/NJ

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS

See updates

Carrum Health

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

Cigna

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Connecticare

In Network Coverage Type
POS, EPO, HMO

Straight NJ Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Straight NY Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Emblem

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Emblem to learn more.

Emblem Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Emblem Medicare Advantage (Medicare Choice PPO Network and VIP Prime Network Only)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Empire Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Empire Plan / NYSHIP (Blue Cross/UnitedHealthcare split plan)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

See updates

Fidelis

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Fidelis to learn more.

Fidelis Managed Medicaid & HARP

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

First Health

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Husky CT Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Healthfirst

In Network Coverage Type
EPO, HMO, PPO, POS

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Healthfirst to learn more.

Healthfirst Managed Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Healthsmart

In Network Coverage Type
PPO EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (HMO)

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

See updates

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (PPO)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

See updates

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier I (EPO)

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

See updates

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier II (EPO)

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

See updates

NYC Medicare Advantage Plus for City Employees

In Network Coverage Type
TBD

Magnacare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO

Medicare Part A&B (traditional Medicare)

In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government

Metroplus

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

City Employee Health Plans (Gold and Gold Care)

Multiplan/Beech Street/PHCS

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

MVP

In Network Coverage Type
PPO/OAP

Non-Participating Plans with Out of Network Benefits

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Oscar

In Network Coverage Type
HMO/EPO

Oxford

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, EPO

World Trade Center Health Program (WTC)

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Qualcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Tricare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

UMR

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS

United Healthcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Don't see your carrier or plan? We can help you understand your coverage.

If you don't have health insurance or are worried that your care may not be fully covered, our financial assistance programs may be able to help.

If you have questions about insurance, call us at 646-497-9176.

Make an Appointment

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Current Patients
Request an appointment by logging in to MSK MyChart or calling your Care Team. If you are not enrolled in MSK MyChart, ask your Care Team to send you an invitation. You can also go to MSK MyChart and select “Sign up now.”

Contact and Location

Dr. Cercek sees patients at one location.

Office Phone
Location
New York, NY
Rockefeller Outpatient Pavilion
160 East 53rd Street New York NY 10022
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Colleagues

Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.

See all Young Onset doctors

See all Gastrointestinal Oncology Service doctors

Clinical Trials

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Smiling doctors in the lab
Find a Clinical Trial for You

Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.

You may be able to participate in a clinical trial even if you are new to MSK. Search our online directory to find trial information and see more about who can participate.

Search clinical trials

Research and Publications

Publications on PubMed

Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Cercek’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

See all on PubMed

Patient Reviews

Your trust is our main concern

We strive to keep reviews trustworthy, honest and fair. Learn more about our patient experience reviews.

5.0 203 reviews

  • 4.9 Provider's Explanations Easy to Understand
  • 4.9 Trusts Provider with Care
  • 4.9 Provider Listened Carefully
  • 5.0 Likelihood of Recommending Provider
Apr 30, 2025

Always treated with respects

Apr 24, 2025

she is an excellent doctor. However, I waited 30 minutes for the appointment to start and I finally had to call the office to know what was going on. If she is going to run so late on a video appointment, the least you can do is to give timely updates about when the appointment will start.

Apr 23, 2025

Love Dr Cercek

Apr 3, 2025

My team, Dr. Cercek, Dr. Williams, and Joe, are just wonderful. I can't put into words of how great they are.

Mar 20, 2025

Memorial Sloan Kettering is an outstanding hospital. I've received great care. Dr. Cercek is wonderful. She's personable. She's smart. She explains everything that I can understand. She listens carefully. She doesn't rush through the appointment at all. And I feel very, very fortunate to have been treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

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Disclosures

Doctors and faculty members often work with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology, and life sciences companies, and other organizations outside of MSK, to find safe and effective cancer treatments, to improve patient care, and to educate the health care community.

MSK requires doctors and faculty members to report (“disclose”) the relationships and financial interests they have with external entities. As a commitment to transparency with our community, we make that information available to the public.

Andrea Cercek discloses the following relationships and financial interests:

  • AbbVie
    Professional Services and Activities
  • Agenus Inc.
    Professional Services and Activities
  • Amgen
    Professional Services and Activities
  • Daiichi Sankyo
    Professional Services and Activities
  • GlaxoSmithKline
    Professional Services and Activities
  • Haystack Oncology, Inc.
    Equity
  • Illumina
    Professional Services and Activities
  • Janssen Oncology, Inc.
    Professional Services and Activities
  • Merck & Co Inc.
    Professional Services and Activities
  • Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Professional Services and Activities
  • Roche Diagnostics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
    Professional Services and Activities
  • Seagen
    Professional Services and Activities

If you’re a patient at MSK and would like more information about your doctor’s external relationships, please talk with your doctor.

The information published here is a complement to other publicly reported data and is for a specific annual disclosure period. There may be differences between information on this and other public sites as a result of different reporting periods and/or the various ways relationships and financial interests are categorized by organizations that publish such data.

This page and data include information for a specific MSK annual disclosure period (January 1, 2023 through disclosure submission in spring 2024). This data reflects interests that may or may not still exist. This data is updated annually.

Learn more about MSK’s COI policies here. For questions regarding MSK’s COI-related policies and procedures, email MSK’s Compliance Office at ecoi@mskcc.org.


View all disclosures

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