Memorial Sloan Kettering surgeon Behfar Ehdaie

Behfar Ehdaie, MD, MPH

Urologic Surgeon

My Role at MSK

Areas of Expertise

My Specialties

  • Prostate Cancer
  • Minimally Invasive and Robotic-Assisted Techniques
  • MRI Image-Guided Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures

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About Me

What I Do at MSK
  • Associate Attending Surgeon
Get To Know Me

I am a surgeon who cares for people with urologic cancers, such as prostate cancerkidney tumors, and bladder cancer. I have specific expertise in minimally invasive procedures. These procedures have been shown to:

  • Reduce the risk of complications
  • Enable patients to recover sooner
  • Help preserve their patients’ quality of life

I have advanced training in robotic-assisted and laparoscopic surgery and have performed thousands of these minimally invasive procedures since 2005. I have more than two decades of experience using advanced robotic- assisted techniques to remove the prostate (prostatectomy) for men with prostate cancer. I perform more than 200 minimally invasive prostate surgeries each year.

In addition, I have developed image-guided surgical techniques to spare nerves that are important for erectile function. I also have advanced skills in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. I perform more than 250 MRI-guided prostate biopsies annually and lead research that aims to improve biopsy outcomes.

This provider is part of a team that was ranked #1 in the nation for Urology Cancer Care this year by U.S. News & World Report.
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Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to improving the use of technology and surgical skill to achieve the best outcomes for every patient. I am committed to serving my patients and their families and am focused on reducing the side effects of treatment.

Patients often want to know how soon they should have their cancer treated. In many cases prostate cancer is not fast growing or aggressive. This provides us with an opportunity to guide patients to make a decision at their pace. No one should ever feel pressured to make a decision. My goal is to partner with you and your family to help you choose the best care plan that aligns with your needs, values, and goals.

No single treatment strategy is right for everybody and it should be based on the specifics of your cancer. If surgery is your choice, we help prepare you physically and mentally to achieve the best outcomes. You can take some time to get your life and work in order, exercise and lose weight, and get support without rushing into surgery. We will guide and support you before, during, and after treatment.

Like my clinical practice, my research is focused on achieving cures while preserving quality of life. I pioneered a new treatment called focal therapy that destroys small tumors inside the prostate and spares healthy prostate tissue. I led the landmark clinical trial that reported the benefits and risks of focal therapy as a viable treatment option for men with less-advanced prostate cancer or tumors that are present inside the prostate gland. This targeted technology precisely treats only those areas containing prostate cancer cells without surgical incisions or radiation therapy. This allows us to deliver a treatment that reduces side effects, such as incontinence or erectile dysfunction.

At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), we are fortunate to have access to multiple advanced technologies, giving patients a range of options. These include focal therapy using high intensity frequency ultrasound (HIFU), cryotherapy, and irreversible electroporation (IRE).

My work also focuses on eliminating side effects from overtreatment of men with prostate cancer that is at low risk of spreading to other parts of the body. I lead one of the largest active surveillance programs in the world. Our dedicated team of advanced practice providers (APPs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) closely observes men with disease that is at low-risk of spreading to other parts of the body. This allows patients to delay treatment until we detect changes in their cancer that signal therapy is needed. We are also studying the use of specialized blood tests and advanced imaging to monitor men with prostate cancer, which could reduce the burden of prostate biopsies.

I am an internationally recognized authority on prostate cancer and lead courses in the U.S. designed to teach physicians minimally-invasive techniques to treat prostate cancer. I enjoy my role as an educator and have accepted invitations as a visiting professor at academic medical centers and professional societies in the U.S. and around the world. In addition, I am a member of national committees that shape guidelines for the treatment of men with prostate cancer.

I’ve published more than 150 peer-reviewed studies. I also serve on the editorial boards or am a reviewer for prestigious journals, such as The New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Urology, European Urology, the Annals of Surgical Oncology, Cancer, and the British Journal of Urology International.

I have always liked using my hands to do things like build model ships and cars and learn new technology. My interest in surgery grew from there. It has developed into what has become a fulfilling career in which I use my hands to care for people with cancer. 

Outside of work, I love being a dad and keeping up with my two young boys. I also enjoy reading books on philosophy and spending as much time as possible outdoors. 

My Role at MSK

A urologic surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the genitourinary (jeh-nih-toh-YOOR-ih-nayr-ee) (GU) system. This includes the bladder, kidney, penis, prostate, and testicles.

Areas of Expertise

My Specialties

  • Prostate Cancer
  • Minimally Invasive and Robotic-Assisted Techniques
  • MRI Image-Guided Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures
  • Kidney Cancer
Education & Honors

Education

  • MD, Georgetown University School of Medicine
  • MPH, Harvard University School of Public Health

Residencies

  • Urology - University of Virginia School of Medicine

Awards and Honors

  • Castle Connolly: America’s Top Doctor (2024)
  • Top Doctors New York Metro Area, Castle Connolly (2023)
  • Castle Connolly: America's Top Doctors (2023)
  • Imperial College London Award – Best Paper in Prostate Cancer (2022)
  • Member, American Urological Association Core Curriculum Education Committee
  • Clinical Chair, Advanced Practice Pathology Program, College of American Pathologists
  • Review of the Year, Journal of Urology (2016)
  • Prostate Cancer Foundation Award – First Prize, Society of Urologic Oncology (2013)
  • Administrative Chief Fellow, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
  • Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, Georgetown University School of Medicine
  • Grants: NIH LRP (principal investigator), NIH RO1 (co-investigator), Department of Defense (co-principal investigator), PCORI (co-investigator)

Fellowships

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Board Certifications

  • Urology

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 retirees only)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield New York

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Blue Cross Blue Shield states outside of NY/NJ

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS

Blue Cross Health Plus

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Carrum Health

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

Cigna

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

MSK has a tentative agreement with Cigna to continue coverage in 2024.

Connecticare

In Network Coverage Type
POS, EPO, HMO

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

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Empire Blue Cross Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO, DSN

Empire Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

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

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

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

Fidelis Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

First Health

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

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

Healthfirst Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

Healthsmart

In Network Coverage Type
PPO EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (HMO)

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (PPO)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

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

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

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

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

Horizon Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Husky CT Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Magnacare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO

Straight NJ Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Straight NY Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Medicare Part A&B (traditional Medicare)

In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government

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

NYC Medicare Advantage Plus for City Employees

In Network Coverage Type
TBD

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

Current Patients

Request an appointment by logging on to MyMSK or calling your doctor’s office. If you aren’t registered for MyMSK, call 646-227-2593 for your Enrollment ID.

Contact and Location

Dr. Ehdaie sees patients at one location.

Office Phone
Location
New York, NY

Looking to see a doctor at a different location? See all MSK locations.

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 Urology Service doctors

Clinical Trials

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

Ehdaie B, Tempany CM, Holland F, Sjoberg DD, Kibel AS, Trinh QD, Durack JC, Akin O, Vickers AJ, Scardino PT, Sperling D, Wong JYC, Yuh B, Woodrum DA, Mynderse LA, Raman SS, Pantuck AJ, Schiffman MH, McClure TD, Sonn GA, Ghanouni P. MRI-guided focused ultrasound focal therapy for patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer: a phase 2b, multicentre study. Lancet Oncol. 2022 Jul;23(7):910-918. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(22)00251-0. Epub 2022 Jun 14. PMID: 35714666; PMCID: PMC9400094.

Carlsson S, Benfante N, Alvim R, Sjoberg DD, Vickers A, Reuter VE, Fine SW, Vargas HA, Wiseman M, Mamoor M, Ehdaie B, Laudone V, Scardino P, Eastham J, Touijer K. Long-Term Outcomes of Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer: The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Experience. J Urol. 2020 Jun;203(6):1122-1127. doi: 10.1097/JU.0000000000000713. Epub 2019 Dec 23. PMID: 31868556; PMCID: PMC7480884.

Publications on PubMed

Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Ehdaie’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.

Behfar Ehdaie discloses the following relationships and financial interests:

No disclosures meeting criteria for time period


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, 2022 through disclosure submission in spring 2023). 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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