Urologic Oncology · NYU Langone Health, Manhattan
Prostate cancer biopsy, focal therapy & robotic prostatectomy in NYC
Dr. Wei Phin Tan, MD, MHS, FACS, is a board-certified urologic oncologist at NYU Langone Health in Manhattan. His practice centers on prostate cancer: transperineal MRI fusion biopsy, focal therapy, and precision robotic prostatectomy, with active surveillance when treatment can wait. He also treats bladder and kidney cancer.
New patients and second opinions welcome. Or call 646-825-6300.
What brings you here?
- Board certifiedAmerican Board of Urology
- FellowAmerican College of Surgeons (FACS)
- FellowshipUrologic Oncology, Duke University Medical Center
- FacultyClinical Assistant Professor of Urology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Prostate cancer care, from biopsy to treatment
Diagnose
Transperineal MRI fusion biopsy
Office-based MRI/ultrasound fusion biopsy through the skin of the perineum, under local anesthesia.
Read the guideTreat the lesion
Focal therapy
Treats only the cancerous part of the prostate while preserving healthy tissue.
Read the guideTreat the gland
Precision robotic prostatectomy
Robotic prostatectomy using a long urethral-sparing technique.
Read the guideAlso offered
Rectal spacers before prostate radiation, and treatment for bladder, upper tract and kidney cancer at NYU Langone.
Before prostate radiation
Bladder & upper tract cancer
- TURBT & NMIBC TherapyBlue-light removal of bladder tumors, then medicines placed directly in the bladder to lower the chance they return.
- Robotic Radical CystectomyRobotic removal of the bladder, with the new urinary passage built inside the body.
- Nephroureterectomy & UTUCRobotic surgery and kidney-sparing options for cancer in the lining of the kidney or ureter.
Where to start
Most prostate cancer decisions are not urgent. The right starting point is often surveillance or an independent second opinion.
“Not every prostate cancer needs aggressive treatment. Some men can safely live with their cancer for years. The key is knowing which cancers can be watched, and which cancers need treatment so they do not become life-threatening.”
Common questions
Short answers, with links to the full patient guides.
What is focal therapy for prostate cancer?
Focal therapy treats only the cancerous portion of the prostate while preserving healthy tissue. Dr. Tan offers HIFU (via the Focal One machine), cryoablation, and PEF ablation. Candidates are typically men with low to intermediate-risk prostate cancer with one MRI-visible lesion.
Read the HIFU focal therapy guideWho is a candidate for HIFU focal therapy in NYC?
Candidates typically have low to intermediate-risk prostate cancer, one MRI-visible lesion in a defined region, cancer biology that fits a targeted approach, and prioritize urinary and sexual function preservation.
Who is a candidateWhat is a Precision Prostatectomy?
Precision Prostatectomy is a robotic prostatectomy technique using long urethral sparing to improve continence outcomes. Some patients are continent immediately after catheter removal at day 5, and most go home the same day.
Read the robotic prostatectomy guideDo you offer second opinions for prostate cancer?
Yes. Dr. Tan offers second opinion consultations for prostate and kidney cancer. Because he performs the full spectrum of treatments, focal therapy, robotic surgery, and active surveillance, his goal is to match the right treatment to the right patient, rather than forcing every patient into one modality.
About second opinions- Full spectrum, no single-specialty bias
- Focal therapy, robotic surgery, radiation preparation (rectal spacers and fiducials), and active surveillance, all performed and discussed by the same surgeon. The goal is to match the treatment to the patient, not the patient to the treatment.
- Academic surgeon and researcher
- Contributions to the evidence base on focal therapy, transperineal biopsy, kidney surgery, and bladder cancer. NCI Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Grant recipient.
- Duke urologic oncology fellowship
- Subspecialty training in prostate, kidney, bladder, and testicular cancers, plus a Master of Health Science in Clinical Research Methods.
- “Square peg, square hole”
- The right treatment for the right patient, not the most aggressive one, not the trendiest one. Shared decisions grounded in your anatomy, cancer biology, and priorities.
More about Dr. Tan's approach
Dr. Wei Phin Tan, MD, MHS, FACS, is a board-certified urologic oncologist at NYU Langone Health specializing in prostate cancer treatment in NYC. He provides comprehensive prostate cancer care, including active surveillance, focal therapy, precision robotic prostatectomy, and prostate rectal spacer placement before radiation therapy, including CyberKnife and other forms of precision radiation. Dr. Tan places spacers such as SpaceOAR and Barrigel to help reduce radiation exposure to the rectum in appropriately selected patients. Because he performs and coordinates the full range of prostate cancer treatment options, Dr. Tan helps patients choose the approach that best fits their cancer, anatomy, treatment goals, and quality-of-life priorities, rather than defaulting to a single treatment modality.
Awards and recognition
- 2024Rising Star in Urologic Oncology AwardWorld Chinese Urological Society (WCUS)
- 2019Best Oral PresentationUrological Association of Asia Congress, Kuala Lumpur
- 2019Best Short Oral PresentationUrological Association of Asia Congress, Kuala Lumpur
- 2019Best Poster AwardEuropean Urological Association Meeting, Barcelona
- 2016Best Abstract AwardRush University Medical Center Surgical Society
- 2015Best Poster PresentationSociété Internationale d'Urologie, Melbourne
- 2013Best Poster PresentationMen's Health World Congress, Arlington, VA
Selected active and in-development research
Industry-sponsored trials, cooperative group studies, and investigator-initiated research in prostate, kidney, and bladder cancer.
Latest publication · Journal of Endourology, 2026
Painless transperineal MRI/US fusion prostate biopsy: reality or myth? The T-PAIN study
Walia A, Thakker S, Benni N, Tan WP. A study of pain and pain control during transperineal MRI/ultrasound fusion biopsy. About transperineal biopsy · PMID 42159173
Active and in-development studies
PRISM
Prostate Recurrence Detection Using PSMA PET/MRI Post-HIFU
Evaluating next-generation PSMA PET/MRI imaging to detect prostate cancer recurrence with greater accuracy after HIFU focal therapy.
ICE-BARR
Improving Cryoablation Efficacy with Barrigel Rectal Spacing
Clinical trial evaluating the Barrigel rectal spacer to enhance the safety and oncologic outcomes of prostate cryoablation.
MTPB-DB
MRI-Targeted Prostate Biopsy Database
IRB-approved institutional database tracking outcomes and clinical data from MRI-targeted prostate biopsies, informing best practices for diagnostic accuracy and patient safety.
3 more studies
BRIDGE
Intravesical BCG vs. Docetaxel + Gemcitabine for BCG-Naïve High-Grade Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
Randomized Phase III cooperative-group trial comparing standard BCG to combination chemotherapy (gemcitabine + docetaxel) in newly diagnosed high-grade NMIBC. Open to accrual since August 2023.
P-CAPS
Prostate Cancer Assessment of Practices and Screening at NYU
Examining real-world prostate cancer screening patterns at NYU to identify gaps and improve early detection in diverse patient populations.
MARGIn
Margin Assessment with Real-Time Guided Imaging using SamanTree
In-development investigator-initiated study evaluating real-time intraoperative margin imaging to refine surgical precision. Currently in IRB submission (April 2026); not yet enrolling.
In the news
NYU Langone Urologists Mark 1,000 Cryotherapy Procedures
NYU Langone Health marked 1,000 focal cryotherapy procedures for prostate cancer since its program's first case in 2017. Dr. Tan is named among the NYU Langone urologic oncologists performing the procedure.
Read article →Microplastics Found in Prostate Tumor Samples
SciTechDaily covered the NYU Langone pilot study, naming Dr. Tan on the research team. In 10 men, microplastics were found in 90% of tumor samples and 70% of noncancerous samples. The study is small and does not show that microplastics cause prostate cancer.
Read article →
Novel Treatment Strategies at NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center
Dr. Tan's talk starts at 1:03. Recorded in October 2024: treatment options keep advancing, so ask at your consultation about the newest approaches.
Watch on YouTube →More news coverage
Microplastics Discovered in Prostate Tumors
Dr. Tan is a co-author on this NYU Langone early pilot study detecting higher microplastic concentrations in prostate tumor tissue than adjacent noncancerous tissue. The findings are exploratory and do not establish causation.
Read article →Legislation & Veteran Prostate Care
Dr. Tan featured discussing healthcare policy and prostate cancer care access for U.S. military veterans.
Read article →Consultations & second opinions
Prostate cancer second opinion in NYC
A new diagnosis, or a recommendation you're uncertain about, deserves a careful second look. Because Dr. Tan performs focal therapy, robotic prostatectomy, and monitors active surveillance patients, his review considers every appropriate option, not just the ones a single-modality specialist offers.
- Review of MRI, PSA history, and biopsy slides
- Discussion of focal, surgical, and surveillance options
- Risk-stratified recommendations grounded in current evidence
- Clear, jargon-free explanation of trade-offs
Visit
NYU Langone Health, Main Campus
222 E 41st Street, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm · 646-825-6300
New patients
Consultations are available for prostate cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, elevated PSA, and second opinions. Insurance participation varies by plan and location, please confirm coverage with NYU Langone and your insurer before scheduling.