Preeti K. Parhar, MD, MPH

Preeti K. Parhar, MD, MPH

I am a board-certified radiation oncologist with a wide range of interests and expertise. Before joining the Memorial Sloan-Kettering faculty, I served as chief resident as New York University School of Medicine. My research and clinical interest is in using technology to allow for more-targeted radiotherapy in order to minimize toxicity to normal tissues while maintaining appropriate therapy to the primary tumor.

I have been extensively involved in studying the effects of positioning (supine or prone) in minimizing the exposure of the heart and lungs to radiation during treatment for breast cancer. I have also looked at the use of different techniques for delivery of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to different disease sites. For example, in brain tumors (both malignant and benign) we use these techniques to minimize damage to normal tissues such as the temporal lobe in order to avoid or minimize the possible cognitive effects of radiation.

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I have extensive experience in image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) using Cone Beam CT and in the use of MV and KV imaging for more-targeted therapy. I have experience in stereotactic therapy including brain and body stereotactic surgery, body radiotherapy, and treatment using respiratory gating techniques and 4D-CT techniques.

One of the unique advantages of Memorial Sloan-Kettering is our close relationship with faculty in all the specialties and throughout the regional sites and main campus. This collaboration allows us to have a truly multi-disciplinary approach to the management of our patients and allows our patients to receive the best care possible.

Location

Basking Ridge

Appointments for New Patients

908-542-3000

Phone

908-542-3100

Clinical Expertise

Radiation Therapy for Cancers of the Breast, Central Nervous System, Prostate, Head and Neck; Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT)

Languages Spoken

English

Education

MD, New York University School of Medicine; MPH Columbia University

Residencies

Lenox Hill Hospital; New York University School of Medicine

Board Certifications

Radiation Oncology

See My Colleagues in:

Clinical Trials Led by Preeti K. Parhar

A Phase III Study of Accelerated Whole Breast Radiation Therapy with a Boost versus Standard Whole Breast Radiation with a Boost in Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer (RTOG 1005)

Publications by Preeti K. Parhar

Visit PubMed for full listing of Preeti K. Parhar journal articles

Pubmed is an online index of biomedical articles maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

Topics Recommended by Preeti K. Parhar

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Basking Ridge

breast (brest)

Glandular organ located on the chest. The breast is made up of connective tissue, fat, and breast tissue that contains the glands that can make milk. Also called mammary gland.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

central nervous system (SEN-trul NER-vus SIS-tem)

The brain and spinal cord. Also called CNS.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

clinical (KLIH-nih-kul)

Having to do with the examination and treatment of patients.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

imaging (IH-muh-jing)

In medicine, a process that makes pictures of areas inside the body. Imaging uses methods such as x-rays (high-energy radiation), ultrasound (high-energy sound waves), and radio waves.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

intensity-modulated radiation therapy (in-TEN-sih-tee-MAH-juh-LAY-tid RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee)

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy is a 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy planning and delivery tool that shapes the radiation dose distribution and minimizes the dose to normal structures. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy implies inverse planning algorithms (i.e., the physician determines radiation treatment parameters to maximize dose to the target and minimize dose to normal tissues, and the planning algorithm maximizes the adherence to these parameters by modifying the beam spatially and/or temporally). Spatial and temporal beam modification is often achieved by dynamically moving multi-leaf collimators. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy can also be achieved via custom-made beam compensators, which are derived from inverse planning algorithms. A novel way to deliver intensity-modulated radiation therapy is tomotherapy, in which a bank of collimated leaves shutter open and closed while rotating around the patient in a spiral manner. The unifying principle of all intensity-modulated radiation therapy planning and delivery methods is inverse planning. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy results in a greater deposition of low doses to normal tissue, which may increase the risk of second malignancies. Also called IMRT.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

lobe (lobe)

A portion of an organ, such as the liver, lung, breast, thyroid, or brain.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

malignant (muh-LIG-nunt)

Cancerous. Malignant cells can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

medicine (MEH-dih-sin)

Refers to the practices and procedures used for the prevention, treatment, or relief of symptoms of a diseases or abnormal conditions. This term may also refer to a legal drug used for the same purpose.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

National Institutes of Health (NA-shuh-nul IN-stih-TOOTS … helth)

A federal agency in the U.S. that conducts biomedical research in its own laboratories; supports the research of non-Federal scientists in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions throughout the country and abroad; helps in the training of research investigators; and fosters communication of medical information. Access the National Institutes of Health Web site at . Also called NIH.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

oncologist (on-KAH-loh-jist)

A doctor who specializes in treating cancer. Some oncologists specialize in a particular type of cancer treatment. For example, a radiation oncologist specializes in treating cancer with radiation.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

oncology (on-KAH-loh-jee)

The study of cancer.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

primary tumor (PRY-mayr-ee TOO-mer)

The original tumor.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

prostate (PROS-tayt)

A gland in the male reproductive system. The prostate surrounds the part of the urethra (the tube that empties the bladder) just below the bladder, and produces a fluid that forms part of the semen.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

radiation (RAY-dee-AY-shun)

Energy released in the form of particle or electromagnetic waves. Common sources of radiation include radon gas, cosmic rays from outer space, medical x-rays, and energy given off by a radioisotope (unstable form of a chemical element that releases radiation as it breaks down and becomes more stable).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

radiation therapy (RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee)

The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the body. Also called irradiation and radiotherapy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

radiotherapy (RAY-dee-oh-THAYR-uh-pee)

The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy). Systemic radiotherapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the body. Also called irradiation and radiation therapy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

regional (REE-juh-nul)

In oncology, describes the body area right around a tumor.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

surgery (SER-juh-ree)

A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

therapy (THAYR-uh-pee)

Treatment.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

toxicity (tok-SIH-sih-tee)

The extent to which something is poisonous or harmful.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)