Dr. Behfar Ehdaie

Dr. Behfar Ehdaie, MD, MPH, is a urologic surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) specializing in the treatment of prostate, kidney, and bladder cancers. He has advanced training in robotic-assisted and laparoscopic surgery and has performed thousands of minimally invasive procedures since 2005, including more than 200 minimally invasive prostate surgeries each year. Dr. Ehdaie has developed image-guided surgical techniques to spare nerves critical for erectile function and performs more than 250 MRI-guided prostate biopsies annually, leading research aimed at improving biopsy outcomes. His approach to care is guided by a patient-centered philosophy, emphasizing shared decision-making and allowing patients the time and support they need to choose a care plan aligned with their values and goals.

Dr. Ehdaie is an internationally recognized authority on prostate cancer and has pioneered several advances in both treatment and disease monitoring. He pioneered focal therapy, a targeted approach that destroys small tumors within the prostate while sparing healthy tissue, and led the landmark clinical trial establishing focal therapy as a viable option for men with less-advanced prostate cancer. At MSK, he offers multiple focal therapy technologies including high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), cryotherapy, and irreversible electroporation (IRE). He also leads one of the largest active surveillance programs in the world, overseeing a dedicated team that closely monitors men with low-risk disease to delay treatment until changes in the cancer signal the need for intervention. His research further explores specialized blood tests and advanced imaging to reduce the burden of prostate biopsies on patients. He has published more than 150 peer-reviewed studies and serves on the editorial boards of and as a reviewer for journals including the New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Urology, European Urology, and the British Journal of Urology International.

Beyond his clinical and research contributions, Dr. Ehdaie is a committed educator and leader in his field. He leads courses in the United States designed to teach physicians minimally invasive techniques for treating prostate cancer and has served as a visiting professor at academic medical centers and professional societies across the U.S. and internationally. He is a member of national committees that shape treatment guidelines for prostate cancer. Known for combining technical precision with a compassionate, unhurried approach to patient care, Dr. Ehdaie remains dedicated to achieving cures while preserving quality of life for every patient he treats.