Memorial Sloan Kettering radiation oncologist Christopher Barker

Christopher A. Barker, MD

Radiation Oncologist

Titles

Vice-Chair, Clinical Research, Department of Radiation Oncology; Director, Skin Cancer and Melanoma Radiation Oncology

Clinical Expertise

Skin Cancer (Melanoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma, Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans, Cutaneous Angiosarcoma, Cutaneous Sarcoma, Adnexal Carcinoma, Sweat Gland Carcinoma, Kaposi Sarcoma); Soft Tissue Sarcomas; Keloid Scar; Eye Cancer; Ocular Melanomas (Melanoma of the Eye), Uveal Melanoma; Orbital Tumors; Breast Cancer; Lymphoma

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800-525-2225
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., (Eastern time)
Accepted Insurance Providers

Dr. Barker accepts the following list of insurance providers. Select your insurance provider to see more details.

Aetna

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant

Aetna Medicare Advantage (City of NY retirees only, starting 9/1/23)

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield New York

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Blue Cross Blue Shield states outside of NY/NJ

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, EPO PPO, POS

Blue Cross Health Plus

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Carrum Health

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): Supplemental

Cigna

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, HMO

Connecticare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): POS, EPO, HMO

Emblem

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Emblem Essential

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Emblem Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, HMO

Empire Blue Cross Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, HMO, DSN

Empire Essential

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

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

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO

Fidelis

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, EPO

Fidelis Managed Medicaid & HARP

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Fidelis Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

First Health

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO

Healthfirst

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): EPO, HMO, PPO, POS

Healthfirst Managed Medicaid

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Healthfirst Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, PPO

Healthsmart

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (HMO)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (PPO)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO

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

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): EPO

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

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): EPO

Horizon Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, HMO

Husky CT Medicaid

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): State Government

Magnacare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, EPO

Straight NJ Medicaid

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): State Government

Straight NY Medicaid

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): State Government

Medicare Part A&B (traditional Medicare)

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): Federal Government

Multiplan/Beech Street/PHCS

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): Supplemental

MVP

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO/OAP

Non-Participating Plans with Out of Network Benefits

Payor Type: Other
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

NYC Medicare Advantage Plus for City Employees

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): TBD

Oscar

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO/EPO

Oxford

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, EPO

World Trade Center Health Program (WTC)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): State Government

Qualcare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, HMO

Tricare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, HMO

UMR

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS

United Healthcare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, HMO

Contact and Location

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Find a Convenient Location

Memorial Sloan Kettering has locations throughout New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, and Westchester. These locations offer many services, including screening, chemotherapy, and medical testing.

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About Me

Education

MD, University of Florida

Residencies

Radiation Oncology - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Fellowships

National Cancer Institute; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Board Certifications

Radiation Oncology

I am a board-certified radiation oncologist who specializes in the treatment of skin cancer (including melanoma) and eye cancer with radiation therapy.

I am one of a few radiation oncologists in the country who focus on these diseases. I work closely with a dedicated team of experts. We use advanced radiation techniques to deliver the best possible care to our patients. Some of these techniques include superficial radiation therapy (SRT), electronic and radioisotope-based brachytherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, and proton therapy.

A common question patients ask is whether I have seen or helped manage a cancer problem like theirs. The answer is usually yes. At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), our philosophy is to come up with the best solution for even the most rare and challenging problems.

I have been a member of the MSK team since 2006. I see patients at Memorial Hospital in Manhattan and MSK Westchester. 

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I am an active biomedical researcher. My goal is to develop more effective cancer treatments using radiation therapy (RT). Prior to joining MSK, I was a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Scholar in the Radiation Oncology Branch of the National Cancer Institute. There, I developed an interest in combining cancer medicines with RT to make treatment more effective.

Along with my colleagues in the Immunology Program and the Departments of Medicine, Surgery, and Pathology at MSK, I have developed several clinical trials. Many of these combine novel targeted and immune therapies with radiation therapy for different cancers.

Another major goal of my research is to find better ways to protect our patients from potential side effects of RT. To do this, I work closely with the Medical Physics Department to give more focused forms of RT. I also work with our Dermatology Service to use special types of skin imaging to more precisely guide RT.Some of these new techniques are more convenient for our patients because fewer treatment sessions are required. We have several clinical trials in this area.

My research has been supported by the American Society for Radiation Oncology, the Lymphoma Research Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health. I have authored chapters in major medical textbooks as well as peer-reviewed research studies in journals. These include the New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Clinical Cancer Research, Radiation Research, and the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, and Physics.

As Vice-Chair for Clinical Research, I lead the Department of Radiation Oncology’s clinical research program. This program supports our study of cutting-edge radiation treatments for all types of cancers, as well as targeted and immune therapies with RT. These clinical research studies offer unique opportunities for our patients.

In addition to taking care of patients and conducting research, I teach others about radiation oncology and skin cancer. I frequently give invited presentations on these subjects at national and international meetings.

Outside of work, I spend most of my time with my wife and three children. We enjoy traveling and various sports activities (as participants and spectators!).

At MSK, our philosophy is to come up with the best solution for even the most rare and challenging problems.

-Dr. Barker

Awards and Honors

  • Castle Connolly: America's Top Doctors (2023)
  • Castle Connolly: New York Magazine Top Doctors (2019-2022)
  • Castle Connolly Top Doctors New York Metro Area (2016-2022)
  • Super Doctors: New York Super Doctors (2019-2020)
  • Super Doctors: New York Rising Stars (2016-2018)

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.

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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. Barker’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

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.

Christopher A. Barker discloses the following relationships and financial interests:

  • Castle Biosciences
    Provision of Services (uncompensated)
  • Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Provision of Services

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 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, 2021 through disclosure submission in spring 2022). 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 [email protected].


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