About Dr. Alexander Stessin

Alexander Stessin, MD, PhD  
Radiation Oncologist
Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology
Stony Brook University School of Medicine

Dr. Stessin specializes in gastrointestinal cancers and tumors of the central nervous system. His clinical endeavor is to develop a program of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for pancreatic and liver cancers, in combination with chemotherapy and surgery. He is a highly trained radiation oncologist with experience in high technology radiotherapy of a variety of tumors including breast cancer and prostate cancers.

Dr. Stessin joined Stony Brook's Department of Radiation Oncology in August 2014. Dr. Stessin received his medical degree through the tri-institutional MD-PhD program of Sloan-Kettering Institute and Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, and PhD of molecular biology at Rockefeller University in New York. He completed his residency training in radiation oncology at New York Presbyterian Hospital, NY in 2014.

Dr. Stessin has continued basic research, particularly in the area of normal tissue radiation biology and mitigation of radiation effects in the brain. This was presented in the national research forum, and publication. He continued to develop a clinical protocol for a Phase I/II study of Gilenya as selective neuroprotector for patients with brain metastasis undergoing whole brain radiation therapy. He is also investigating the outcomes of accelerated partial breast irradiation with MammoSite® Ballon brachytherapy.

Dr. Stessin's dual certification of an MD and PhD grants him an exceptional perspective of how current research and the latest technology can be practically applied to treat patients at Stony Brook. He offers our patients a unique perspective with his ability to translate his research into his clinical practice.

Clinical Focus 

• Breast Cancer
• Brain Tumors
• Larynx Cancer
• Head & Neck Cancer
• Lymphoma
• Gastrointestinal Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Pancreatic Cancer

Research Focus 
Dr. Stessin’s laboratory research has focused on developing novel approaches to mitigate radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction in patients receiving radiation to the brain. His research in this area has been recognized with the prestigious American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Conquer Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Award. His other laboratory research interests include identifying novel molecular targets to improve outcomes in patients undergoing radiation therapy for brain tumors. In addition to lab investigation, he has conducted clinical research in the areas of gastrointestinal cancers and brain malignancies. He has authored 12 research articles in peer-reviewed journals and has given multiple presentations at national and international conferences. He was a Visiting Research Fellow in cellular neurophysiology at the Institut Pasteur, Paris, and a Research Fellow at Rockefeller University. Currently, his clinical research interest is in the area of mitigating the radiation effects on normal tissue and improving outcomes and survival rates for patients receiving radiotherapy, IMRT and other radiation oncology modalities for gastrointestinal cancers. As a clinician, Dr. Stessin is committed to providing the highest quality personalized care to his patients and places strong emphasis on the physician-patient relationship.

Academic Appointments

• Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

• Member, American Society for Radiation Oncology (2010 – present)
• Member, American Society of Clinical Oncology (2012 – present)

Professional Education