Education
- Residency in Radiation Oncology, Chief Resident
The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
- Internship in Internal Medicine
University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Sarnoff Fellowship in Cardiovascular Research
Columbia University in the City of New York, New York, NY
- Medical Doctorate
University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Procedures
Dr. Akhtari has a special interest in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and body radiation therapy (SBRT). These are highly specialized procedures that allow us to treat brain tumors as well as tumors elsewhere in the body with very high doses of radiation in a pinpoint manner to the tumor, sparing the normal tissues around it. This type of treatment is done between 1 to 5 sessions, making it not only convenient for the patients but also having excellent outcomes in terms of tumor control. These techniques can be used to treat brain metastases, some brain cancers. lung cancer, prostate cancer, bone metastases, and liver metastases amongst others.
Accolades & Memberships
- American Brachytherapy Society
- American College of Radiology Government Relations Executive Committee Member
- American College of Radiation Oncology
- American Medical Association
- American Radium Society
- American Society for Radiation Oncology
- Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology
- Radiological Society of North America
- Texas Medical Association
- Texas Oncology Radiation Development Committee Member
- Texas Health Resources Fort Worth Cancer Committee Member
- Texas Health Resources Rectal Program Committee Member
Research Interest
Dr. Akhtari is actively involved in the most current phase I through phase III clinical trials through US Oncology research network.
Dr. Akhtari has had extensive experience in research as relating to several different cancers. As a Sarnoff cardiovascular research fellow at Columbia University, he studied how cholesterol can drive hematopoietic stem cells to proliferate, leading to hematologic malignancies down the line such as leukemia.
His work was published in the prestigious Journal of Clinical Investigation. Later on in his residency training, he worked extensively with the Lymphoma group at MD Anderson Cancer Center to build their Hodgkin Lymphoma database and identify factors that can distinguish more aggressive tumors based on their PET-CT. Results of this study were later published in the respected journal of Blood. He also worked extensively with the radiation department at Houston Methodist Hospital looking into the possibility of brachytherapy in patients with breast implants, sarcoidosis in cancer patients, as well as management of non-small cell lung cancer patients and their chemotherapy regimens.
Dr. Akhtari has also advocated for increased research funding by National Institutes of Health and had a resolution passed in AMA calling for that. Currently, he is working to bring his research expertise to Fort Worth. He has several trials in the pipelines for brain tumors (Glioblastoma Multiforme) as well as some potential trials for non-small cell lung cancer.
Other Information
Dr. Akhtari lives in Fort Worth. He is a big fan of the outdoors and when not spending time with his family, he is running or biking by the Trinity River Trail. Sometimes he also takes his Great Pyrenees Keanu along with him as well.
What is your personal philosophy around patient care?
Dr. Akhtari’s personal philosophy and patient care revolves around compassionate care and shared decision making. Having had multiple family members affected by cancer, he understands how difficult a period it can be for patients to go through. During the first meeting, he spends as much time as needed to get a better sense of each patient’s situation and treatment goals. He then works with the patients and their families to come up with a radiation treatment plan, customized to them, to best address their tumor and their goals of care. He always strives to minimize any side effects and maximize chances of cure.