Ahsan Azhar, MBBS, MD, FACP, HMDC, FAAHPM
Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Palliative, Rehabilitation, & Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Acute Palliative Care & Supportive Care Unit (PSCU), Medical Director, Palliative, Rehabilitation, & Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Professor, Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2001 | Education Commissions for Foreign Medical Graduates, Brooklyn, New York, US, MD |
| 2000 | King Edward Medical College, Lahore, PK, MBBS in Medicine |
Postgraduate Training
| 2012-2013 | Clinical Fellowship, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2002-2005 | Clinical Residency, Internal Medicine at Lutheran Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2020 | Hospice Medical Director Certification Board |
| 2016 | American Board of Hospice & Palliative Medicine |
| 2005 | American Board of Internal Medicine |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation, & Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2015 - 2022
Instructor, Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation, & Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2014 - 2015
Residency Program Director, Internal Medicine, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Lahore, 2009 - 2012
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Patient Safety and Quality Officer (PSQO), Palliative, Rehabilitation, & Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2022 - Present
Operational Medical Director, Palliative, Rehabilitation, & Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2020 - Present
Acute Palliative & Supportive Care Unit (PSCU), Medical Director, Palliative, Rehabilitation, & Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2019 - Present
Acute Palliative & Supportive Care Unit (PSCU), Associate Medical Director, Palliative, Rehabilitation, & Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2017 - 2019
Department Head, Internal Medicine, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Lahore, 2009 - 2012
Head, Employee Health Care Services, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Lahore, 2008 - 2012
Administrator, Emergency Assessment Room, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Lahore, 2006 - 2012
Other Professional Positions
Department Liaison, Quality Audit - Medical Documentation, Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation, & Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2018 - 2019
Member, Fellow Selection Committee, Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation, & Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2017 - Present
Member, APP Selection Committee, Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation, & Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2017 - Present
Member, Fellow Training, In-Service Examination Committee, Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation, & Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2017 - 2017
Consultant Palliative Care Physician, Symptom Management Consultants, Humble, TX, 2014 - 2014
Member, Library Committee, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Lahore, 2010 - 2011
Member, Hospital Ethics Committee, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Lahore, 2009 - 2011
Chairperson, Medical Education Committee, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Lahore, 2009 - 2011
Member, Nutritional Support Committee, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Lahore, 2009 - 2011
United Nations Examining Physician, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Lahore, 2008 - 2012
Tutor for courses - MRCP-1, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Lahore, 2005 - 2012
Reviewer-research proposals, Scientific Review Committee, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Lahore, 2005 - 2012
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Pain Taskforce Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centere, 2025 - Present
Member, Clinical Competency Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - Present
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Quality Management Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - Present
Member, 25th Supportive & Palliative Care Clinical and Research Symposium Planning Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - Present
Member, Patient Safety & Quality Officers Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - Present
Member, Institutional Vizient Analytics Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - 2024
Vizient Champion, Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation & Integrative Medicine, The University of TX MD Anderson Cancer Center, Mortality Review Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - 2024
Operational Medical Director, Section of Palliative Care, Division of Cancer of Medicine, Operational Medical Directors Team, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Member, Faculty Senate, Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation, & Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - 2021
Member, Medical Records Committee, Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation & Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2018 - 2024
Honors & Awards
| 2004 - 2005 | Chief Medical Resident, Lutheran Medical Center, New York |
| 2002 - 2003 | Intern of the Year, Lutheran Medical Center, New York |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2026. An overview of the Acute Palliative & Supportive Care Unit - Virtual. Invited.
- 2026. Prayer Devotion - Islamic Faith. Invited. 15th Annual "The Collective Soul Symposium" - Living the Integration of Spiritual Care and Creating Healing Environments in Our Daily Clinical Practice. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2025. Prayer Devotion - Islamic Faith. Invited. 14th Annual "The Collective Soul Symposium" - Embracing Unity in Caring and Relieving Suffering. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. Palliative Care Emergencies. Invited. Updates in Hospice and Palliative Medicine and Intensive Physician Board Review Course. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Palliative Care in the Last Week of Life. Conference. Palliative Care in the Last Week of Life. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Palliative Care Emergencies. Invited. Updates in Hospice and Palliative Medicine and Intensive Physician Board Review Course. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Supportive Care Services at MDA. Conference. Supportive Care Services at MDA. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Empowering the Palliative Workforce Health and Well-Being. Conference. Empowering the Palliative Workforce Health and Well-Being. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. What’s New in Palliative/Supportive Care: 5 Most Impactful Publications this Year (Moderator). Conference. What’s New in Palliative/Supportive Care: 5 Most Impactful Publications this Year (Moderator). Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Palliative Care Emergencies. Invited. Updates in Hospice and Palliative Medicine and Intensive Physician Board Review Course. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Management of Agitated Delirium in an Older Cancer Patient (Moderator). Conference. Management of Agitated Delirium in an Older Cancer Patient (Moderator). Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Prayer Devotion - Islamic Faith. Invited. 10th Annual "The Collective Soul Symposium" - Living the Integration of Spiritual Care. Education and Compassionate Care. Houston, TX, US.
- 2020. Being early is being on time-integration on of palliative and hospice care in advanced illnesses. Conference. Being early is being on time-integration on of palliative and hospice care in advanced illnesses. Houston, TX, US.
- 2020. Prayer Devotion - Islamic Faith. Invited. 9th Annual "The Collective Soul Symposium" The Calling of Service: Our Spiritual Journey Caring for People in Suffering. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2019. A New Integrated Healthcare Model: Radiotherapy And Palliative Care (RaP) Outpatient Clinic (Moderator). Conference. A New Integrated Healthcare Model: Radiotherapy And Palliative Care (RaP) Outpatient Clinic (Moderator). Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Rapid Fire: Concurrent Use of Opioids and Benzodiazepines or NonBenzodiazepines Sedative Hypnotics Among Cancer Patients Referred to Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic of a Comprehensive Cancer Care Center. Conference. Rapid Fire: Concurrent Use of Opioids and Benzodiazepines or NonBenzodiazepines Sedative Hypnotics Among Cancer Patients Referred to Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic of a Comprehensive Cancer Care Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. What’s New in Palliative/ Supportive Care: 5 Most Impactful Publications this Year (Moderator). Conference. What’s New in Palliative/ Supportive Care: 5 Most Impactful Publications this Year (Moderator). Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Pulmonary Intervention to Manage Dyspnea/Hemoptysis (Moderator). Conference. Pulmonary Intervention to Manage Dyspnea/Hemoptysis (Moderator). Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Palliative Care Emergencies. Conference. Palliative Care Emergencies. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Inpatient management of complex end of life care: The Palliative care unit. Conference. Inpatient management of complex end of life care: The Palliative care unit. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Prayer Devotion - Islamic Faith. Invited. 8th Annual "The Collective Soul Symposium" We are ALL Called to Relieve Suffering. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. An interfaith roundtable on the role of religions in palliative care (Panel Discussion). Conference. An interfaith roundtable on the role of religions in palliative care (Panel Discussion). Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. Rapid Fire: Physician Attire and Advanced Cancer Patients’ Perception of Physician Compassion and Professionalism - A Randomized, Double Blind, Cross over Trial*. Conference. Rapid Fire: Physician Attire and Advanced Cancer Patients’ Perception of Physician Compassion and Professionalism - A Randomized, Double Blind, Cross over Trial*. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Workshop: How to Manage Breakthrough Cancer Pain. Invited. 21st Annual "Interdisciplinary Conference on Supportive Care, Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Houston, TX, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2020. Emergencies in Palliative Care. Conference. Emergencies in Palliative Care. Houston, US.
- 2018. Being early is being on time-A talk about palliative and hospice care. Conference. Being early is being on time-A talk about palliative and hospice care, US.
National Presentations
- 2026. Discharge Outcomes for Patients Transferred from Intensive and Non-Intensive Care to an Acute Palliative Care Unit. Poster. Annual Assembly Hospice & Palliative Care (AAHPM). Houston, Texas, US.
- 2022. Palliative Care in the Last Week of Life. Conference. ECHO Palliative Care Africa. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. The Principles of Palliative Care. Conference. 5th Annual Mugla Multidisciplinary Oncological Research Congress (AMORE 2022), US.
International Presentations
- 2023. Future of Community Palliative Care Services (Virtual). Conference. 22nd Shaukat Khanum Cancer Symposium, PK.
- 2021. Evidence-based strategies for communicating bad news in Oncology. Conference. Tumor Support Therapy Board of Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein. Sao Paulo, BR.
- 2021. Changing paradigms in SCPC during COVID era & beyond. Conference. 4th Webinar Scientific Feast, TR.
- 2021. Care Model of SCPC Service-The Acute Palliative & Supportive Care Unit (PSCU) Perspective. Conference. Joint Meeting of Palliative Care Teams of Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein and Hospital Municipal Vila Santa Catarina. Sao Paulo, BR.
- 2017. Emotional Burden of Dealing With Dying Patients. Conference. 16th Shaukat Khanum Cancer Symposium, PK.
- 2015. Symptom Assessment in Cancer Patients ESAF-FS as a Valuable Tool. Conference. 14th Shaukat Khanum Cancer Symposium, PK.
- 2013. Hospital-based Palliative Care. Conference. 12th Shaukat Khanum Cancer Symposium. Lahore, PK.
- 2010. Emergencies in Palliative Care. Conference. 9th Shaukat Khanum Cancer Symposium. Lahore, PK.
- 2009. Introduction to End of Life Care - Core Principles. Conference. Introduction to End of Life Care - Core Principles. Lahore, PK.
- 2008. Diabetes and Cancer (management challenges). Conference. Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center Endocrine Symposium. Lahore, PK.
Formal Peers
- 2026. PSCU Overview with HPM Fellows. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2026. End of Life (Non-Pain) Symptom Management – Palliative Care near EOL and Role of the PSCU at MDA. Houston, Texas, US.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Ancy K, Azhar A, Mastroleo GS, Nelson B, Cooper A, Aceves M, Crane J, Andersen CR, Hui D, Dev R, Bruera E. Acute palliative care unit discharge outcomes: intensive versus non-intensive care transfers. BMJ Support Palliat Care, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42509033.
- Dave, S, Ancy, KM, Azhar, A, Bruera, E. Acute palliative and supportive care units provide unique and tailored care. Palliative and Supportive Care 24, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41555657.
- Jimenez, GJ, Agosta, M, Garcia-Hocker, M, Azhar, A, Bruera, E, Carmack, CL. Language barriers and patient safety in supportive care. Palliative and Supportive Care 24, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41549344.
- Amaram-Davila, JS, Vega, MF, Bramati, PS, Stewart, HA, Aceves, M, Dalal, S, Reddy, AS, Azhar, A, Reddy, SK, Bodurka, DC, George, MC, Aiss, MA, Bruera, E. From Emails to EMR. Cancers 17(17), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40940972.
- Hui, D, De La Rosa, A, Tsai, JS, Cheng, SY, Del Fabbro, E, Thomas Kuzhiyil, AT, Rowe, K, Azhar, A, Nguyen, T, Tang, M, Yao, CA, Huang, HL, Peng, JK, Hu, WY, Admane, S, Dev, R, Chen, M, Bramati, PS, Shete, S, Bruera, E. Proportional Sedation for Persistent Agitated Delirium in Palliative Care. JAMA Oncology 11(9):1031-1043, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40742738.
- Dev R, Bramati P, Delgado Guay MO, Fellman B, Azhar A, Tang M, Tennison J, Becerra J, Admane S, Dalal S, Hui D, Fabbro ED, Bruera E. Malnutrition Risk and the Psychological Burden of Anorexia and Cachexia in Patients With Advanced Cancer. JCSM 8(1), 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Ancy KM, Azhar A, Guzman Gutierrez D, Bruera E. "I'm Done": A patient's wish and will to die. Palliat Support Care 22(6):1-4, 2024. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 38131142.
- Hui D, Maxwell JP, de la Rosa A, Jennings K, Vidal M, Reddy A, Azhar A, Dev R, Tanco K, Heung Y, Delgado-Guay M, Zhukovsky D, Arthur J, Reddy S, Yennu S, Ontai A, Bruera E. The impact of a web-based prognostic calculator on prognostic confidence in outpatient palliative care. Support Care Cancer 32(11):714, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39377783.
- Hui, D, Azhar, A. Haloperidol and lorazepam for agitated delirium in patients with advanced cancer: A multicenter, double-blind, randomized clinical trial 35(Supplement 2):S912, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Khan R, Tang M, Azhar A, Bruera E. The Administrative Burden on Palliative Academic Physicians. J Pain Symptom Manage 67(5):e399-e402, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38331231.
- Rozman de Moraes A, Erdogan E, Azhar A, Reddy SK, Lu Z, Geller JA, Graves DM, Kubiak MJ, Williams JL, Wu J, Bruera E, Yennurajalingam S. Scheduled and Breakthrough Opioid Use for Cancer Pain in an Inpatient Setting at a Tertiary Cancer Hospital. Curr Oncol 31(3):1335-1347, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38534934.
- Arthur J, Pawate V, Lu Z, Yennurajalingam S, Azhar A, Reddy A, Epner D, Hui D, Tanco K, Delgado Guay MO, Vidal M, Chen M, Bruera E. Helpfulness of Question Prompt Sheet for Patient-Physician Communication Among Patients With Advanced Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 6(5), 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37129892.
- Bramati PS, Azhar A, Khan R, Tovbin M, Cooper A, Pangemanan I, Fellman B, Bruera E. High Flow Nasal Cannula in Patients With Cancer at the End of Life. J Pain Symptom Manage 65(4):e369-e373, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36646330.
- Yennu, S, Azhar, A, Lu, Z, Rodriguez, AJ, Arechiga, AB, Guerra-Sanchez, M, Stanton, P, Andersen, C, Urbauer, D, Bruera, E. Open-Label Placebo for the Treatment of Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients with Advanced Cancer. Oncologist 27(12):1081-1089, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36106759.
- Ann-Yi, S, Azhar, A, Bruera, E. Dying Alone during a Pandemic. Journal of palliative medicine 24(12):1905-1908, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34348040.
- Haider A, Azhar A, Tanco KC, Epner M, SMAA N, Abdelghani E, Reddy A, Dev R, Wu J, Bruera E. Oncology patients' perception of physicians who use an integrated electronic health record (EHR) during clinic visits: PRIME-EHR double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Cancer 127(21):3967-3974, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34264520.
- Sujin AY, Azhar A. Dying Alone During a Pandemic. J Palliat Med, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Haider A, Azhar A. Cancer Patients’ Perception of Physicians Who Use an Integrated Electronic Health Record During Clinic Visits: PRIME-EHR Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial" Cancer. Cancer, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Swan A, Azhar A, Anderson AE, Williams JL, Liu D, Bruera E. Empowering the Health and Well-Being of the Palliative Care Workforce: Evaluation of a Weekly Self-Care Checklist. J Pain Symptom Manage 61(4):817-823, 2021. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32979518.
- Heung Y, Azhar A, Ali Akbar Naqvi SM, Williams J, Park M, Hui D, Dibaj S, Liu D, Bruera E. Frequency and Characteristics of First-Time Palliative Care Referrals During the Last Day of Life. J Pain Symptom Manage 61(2):358-363, 2021. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32822749.
- Hui D, De La Rosa A, Wilson A, Nguyen T, Wu J, Delgado-Guay M, Azhar A, Arthur J, Epner D, Haider A, De La Cruz M, Heung Y, Tanco K, Dalal S, Reddy A, Williams J, Amin S, Armstrong TS, Breitbart W, Bruera E. Neuroleptic strategies for terminal agitation in patients with cancer and delirium at an acute palliative care unit: a single-centre, double-blind, parallel-group, randomised trial. Lancet Oncol 21(7):989-998, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32479786.
- Azhar A, Haider A, Park M, Liu D, Williams J, Bruera E. Challenging the Status Quo of Physician Attire in the Palliative Care Setting. The Oncologist, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Hui D, Abdelghani E, Chen J, Dibaj S, Zhukovsky D, Dev R, Tanco K, Haider A, Azhar A, Reddy A, Epner D, Dalal S, Heung Y, Reddy S, de La Cruz M, Liu D, Bruera E. Chronic Non-Malignant Pain in Patients with Cancer seen at a Timely Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic. Cancers, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Hui D, Hernandez F, Larsson L, Liu D, Kilgore K, Naberhuis J, Virgilio A, Reddy S, Reddy A, Dalal S, Haider A, Driver L, Azhar A, Dev R, Bruera E. Prophylactic Fentanyl Sublingual Spray for Episodic Exertional Dyspnea in Cancer Patients: A Pilot Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. J Pain Symptom Manage 58(4):605-613, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31276809.
- Haider A, Azhar A, Nguyen K, Dev R, Naqvi SMA, Naqvi SMA, Edwards T, Reddy A, Dalal S, Tanco KC, Arthur J, Williams JL, Park M, Liu DD, Dibaj SS, Bruera E. Concurrent use of opioids with benzodiazepines or nonbenzodiazepine sedatives among patients with cancer referred to an outpatient palliative care clinic. Cancer. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31460669.
- Azhar A, Haider A, Naqvi S, Wong A, Dibaj S, Liu D, Williams J, Bruera E. Frequency of Concomitant Use of Opioids and Psychoactive Medications among Cancer Patients Referred to Outpatient Palliative Care. J Pain Symptom Manage, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Azhar A, Kim YJ, Haider A, Hui D, Balankari VR, Epner MC, Park M, Liu DD, Williams J, Frisbee-Hume SE, Allo JA, Bruera E. Response to Oral Immediate-Release Opioids for Breakthrough Pain in Patients with Advanced Cancer with Adequately Controlled Background Pain. Oncologist. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30254187.
- Haider A, Tanco K, Epner M, Azhar A, Williams J, Liu DD, Bruera E. Physicians' Compassion, Communication Skills, and Professionalism With and Without Physicians' Use of an Examination Room Computer: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol 4(6):879-881, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29710136.
- Azhar A, Wong AN, Cerana AA, Balankari VR, Adabala M, Liu DD, Williams JL, Bruera E. Characteristics of Unscheduled and Scheduled Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic Patients at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. J Pain Symptom Manage 55(5):1327-1334, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29410087.
- Azhar A, Yennurajalingam S, Ramu A, Zhang H, Haider A, Williams JL, Dibaj SS, Liu DD, Bruera E. Timing of Referral and Characteristics of Uninsured, Medicaid, and Insured Patients Referred to the Outpatient Supportive Care Center at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. J Pain Symptom Manage. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29129738.
- Tanco K, Azhar A, Rhondali W, Rodriguez-Nunez A, Liu D, Wu J, Baile W, Bruera E. The Effect of Message Content and Clinical Outcome on Patients' Perception of Physician Compassion: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Oncologist. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29118266.
- Yennurajalingam S, Tannir NM, Williams JL, Lu Z, Hess KR, Frisbee-Hume S, House HL, Lim ZD, Lim KH, Lopez G, Reddy A, Azhar A, Wong A, Patel SM, Kuban DA, Kaseb AO, Cohen L, Bruera E. A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Panax Ginseng for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients With Advanced Cancer. J Natl Compr Canc Netw 15(9):1111-1120, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28874596.
- Reddy A, Vidal M, Stephen S, Baumgartner K, Dost S, Nguyen A, Heung Y, Kwan S, Wong A, Pangemanan I, Azhar A, Tayjasanant S, Rodriguez E, Waletich J, Lim KH, Wu J, Liu D, Williams J, Yennurajalingam S, Bruera E. The Conversion Ratio From Intravenous Hydromorphone to Oral Opioids in Cancer Patients. J Pain Symptom Manage 54(3):280-288, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28711751.
- Allo JA, Cuello D, Zhang Y, Reddy SK, Azhar A, Bruera E. Patient Home Visits: Measuring Outcomes of a Community Model for Palliative Care Education. J Palliat Med, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26652056.
- de la Cruz M, Reddy A, Vidal M, Tanco K, Azhar A, Silvestre J, Liu D, Wu J, Bruera E. Impact of a Palliative Care Checklist on Clinical Documentation. Journal of Oncology Practice 12(2):e241-e247, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26733626.
Invited Articles
- Azhar A, Hui D. Management of Physical Symptoms in Patients with Advanced Cancer during the Last Weeks and Days of Life. Cancer Res Treat 54(3):661-670, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35790195.
- Azhar A, Bruera E. 'Outcome measurement and complex physical, psychosocial and spiritual experiences of death and dying. Ann Palliat Med 7(Suppl 3):S231-S243, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30180737.
Editorials
- Azhar, A. Missed Opportunities and Health Disparities for Advance Care Planning Before Elective Surgery in Older Adults". PC-FACS (Palliative Care-Fast Article Critical Summaries) American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. J Pain Symptom Manage, 2022.
- Azhar A. A Comprehensive Prognostic Tool for Older Adults: Predicting Death and Disability". PC-FACS (Palliative Care-Fast Article Critical Summaries), American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. J Pain Symptom Manage, 2022.
- Azhar, A. Association of Social Support With Functional Outcomes in Older Adults Who Live Alone”. PC-FACS (Palliative Care-Fast Article Critical Summaries), American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. J Pain Symptom Manage, 2022.
- Azhar, A. Anticoagulant Use for Atrial Fibrillation Among Persons With Advanced Dementia at the End of Life'. PC-FACS (Palliative Care-Fast Article Critical Summaries), American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. J Pain Symptom Manage, 2021.
- Azhar A. Prognosis and All-Cause Mortality in COVID-19 Cases Among Older Adults' PC-FACS (Palliative Care-Fast Article Critical Summaries), American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. J Pain Symptom Manage, 2021.
- Azhar A. Family and friend perceptions of quality of end-of-life care in Medicare Advantage vs traditional Medicare PC-FACS (Palliative Care-Fast Article Critical Summaries), American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. J Pain Symptom Manage, 2020.
- Azhar, A. Evaluation of a Palliative Care Program for Nursing Homes: PC-FACS (Palliative Care-Fast Article Critical Summaries), American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. J Pain Symptom Manage, 2020.
- Azhar, A. The Program’s Association With Mortality and Quality of Care: PC-FACS (Fast Article Summaries for Clinicians in Palliative Care), American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. J Pain Symptom Manage 58(1):173-174, 2019.
Abstracts
- Haider A, Azhar A, et al. The Usefulness Of An Acute Palliative Care Unit In A Comprehensive Cancer Care Center. Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Center-(MASSC), 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Subbiah I, Azhar A. Development of Patient Reported Outcomes-based Machine Learning Algorithm for the 6-Month Mortality Prediction in Patients with Advanced Cancer. ASCO Quality Symposium, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Haider A, Azhar A, et al. Cancer Patients Perception of Physicians Who Use an Integrated Electronic Health Record During Clinic Visits: PRIME-EHR Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Center-(MASCC), 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Subbiah I, Charone M, Roszik J, Ahsan A. Integrating PROs with prognostic value into oncologic care High ESAS global distress score associated with lower overall survival in advanced cancer patients. ASCO Annual Meeting, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Heung Y, Azhar A, Williams J, Dibaj S, Bruera E. Frequency and Characteristics of First-Time Palliative Care Referrals During the Last Day of Life. Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care-(AAHPM), 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Haider A, Azhar A, Tanco K, Reddy S, Wu J, Williams J, Naqvi S. Cancer patients’ perceptions of physicians who use an integrated electronic health record (EHR) approach during clinic visits: A double-blinded randomized clinical trial (RCT). ASCO Annual Meeting, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Azhar A, Tanco K, Haider A, Williams J, Cantu C, Hernandez C, Rantanen P, Park M, Liu D, Bruera E. Impact of Physician Attire on Palliative Care Patients’ Perception of Physician Compassion and Professionalism: A Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT). Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care-(AAHPM), 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Azhar, A. Physician attire and palliative care patients’ perception of physician compassion and professionalism: A randomized controlled trial (RCT). Palliative & Supportive Care in Oncology Symposium-(ASCO), 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Haider A, Azhar A, Naqvi S, Nguyen K, Edwards T, Park M, Liu D, Bruera E. Concurrent use of Opioids and Benzodiazepines or Non-Benzodiazepines Sedative Hypnotics Among Cancer Patients Referred to Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic of a Comprehensive Cancer Care Center. Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Center-(MASCC), 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Haider A, Azhar A, Naqvi S, Nguyen, K, Edwards T, Park M, Liu D, Bruera E. Concurrent use of Opioids and Benzodiazepines or Non-Benzodiazepines Sedative Hypnotics Among Cancer Patients Referred to Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic of a Comprehensive Cancer Care Center. Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care-(AAHPM), 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Azhar A, Hui D, Kim Y J, Balankari V, Epner M C, Park M, Williams J, Frisbee S, Allo J, Bruera E. Response to Oral Opioids for Breakthrough Pain (BTP) in Advanced Cancer Patients with Adequately Controlled Background Pain. European Association for Palliative Care-(EAPC), 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Haider A, Tanco K, Epner M, Azhar A, Williams J, Frisbee-Hume S, Allo J, Liu D, Bruera E. Effects of examination room computer on cancer patient's perception of physician's compassion, communication skills, and professionalism: A randomized clinical trial. J Clinical Onocology 35 Suppl 31S, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Azhar A, Haider A, Naqvi S, Wong A, Cerana M, Adabala M, Balankari V, Liu D, Dibaj S, Williams J, Bruera E. Frequency of concomitant use of opioids and psychoactive medications among cancer patients referred to outpatient palliative care at a comprehensive cancer center. J Clinical Onocology(35 Suppl 31S), 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Yennu S, Tannir N, Williams J, Hess K, Frisbee-Hume S, House H, Fosella F, Lim Z, Lopez G, Reddy A, Azhar A, Wong A, Patel S, Kaseb A, Lu Z, Cohen L, Bruera E. Effects of High-Dose Asian Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) to Improve Cancer-Related Fatigue: Results of a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Controlled Trial. Palliative & Supportive Care in Oncology Symposium-(ASCO), 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Wong A, Azhar A, Balankari V, Adabala M, Liu D, Williams J, Bruera E. Characteristics of Patients with Unscheduled Versus Scheduled Visits to Outpatient Supportive Care Center (SCC) at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Palliative & Supportive Care in Oncology Symposium-(ASCO), 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Azhar A, Yennu S, Ramu A, Zhang H, Haider A, Williams J, Bruera E. Referral Patterns and Characteristics of Uninsured Versus Insured Patients Referred to the Outpatient Supportive Care Center (SCC) at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Palliative Care in Oncology Symposium-(ASCO), 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Zhang, Y, Reddy, S, Azhar, A, Bruera, E, Delgado, MO. Bus Rounds: Measuring Outcomes of A Community Model for Palliative Care Education. Sage Journals, 2014. e-Pub 2014.
- De La Cruz M, Reddy A, Tanco K, Vidal M, Azhar A, Silvestre J, Chisholm G, Williams J, Bruera E. Palliative Care Checklist: A Documentation Improvement Tool. ASCO Quality Symposium. e-Pub 2013.
Book Chapters
- Haider, A, Azhar, A, Madden, K. Palliative Care in Critically Ill Cancer Patients. In: Oncologic Critical Care. Springer, Cham, 1-21, 2026.
- Azhar A. Constipation. In: The MD Anderson Supportive and Palliative Care Handbook. 7th. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023.
- Haider, A, Azhar, A. Symptom Management and Palliative Care in Hematologic Malignancies. In: Manual of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies for Hematologic Malignancies. Elsevier, 549-560, 2023.
- Azhar A. A Son's Duty. In: Empathy: Real Stories to Inspire and Enlighten Busy Clinicians. McGraw Hill, 2022.
- Azhar, A, Haider, A, Bruera, E. Inpatient Supportive and Palliative Care. In: The MD Anderson Manual of Medical Oncology, 4E. McGraw Hill Education, 2022.
- Azhar A, Dalal S. Fever, Sweats, and Hot Flashes. In: Textbook of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, 3E. 3rd. CRC Press, 2021.
- Haider A, Azhar A, Madden K. Palliative Care in Critically Ill Cancer Patients. In: Oncologic Critical Care. Springer, Cham, 1-21, 2019.
- Azhar A, Bruera E. Constipation. In: The MD Anderson Supportive and Palliative Care Handbook. 6th. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2018.
- Azhar A. Palliative Care in the Last Hours of Life. In: Hospice and Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care Flashcards. Oxford University Press, 381-398, 2018.
- Azhar A. Constipation. In: The MD Anderson Supportive and Palliative Care Handbook. 5th. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2015.
- Azhar A, Tremont-Lukats IW, Walker P. Seizures. In: Internal Medicine Issues in Palliative Cancer Care. Oxford University Press, 205-210, 2015.
- Azhar A, Dalal S. Fever, Sweats, and Hot Flashes. In: Textbook of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, 2E. 2nd. CRC Press, 763-776, 2015.
- Azhar A, Reddy SK. Pain: Conservative Management. In: Cancer Rehabilitation Medicine Quick Reference Series. Demos Medical Publishing, 98-100, 2014.
Letters to the Editor
- Haider A, Tanco K, Epner M, Azhar A, Williams J, Liu D, Bruera E. Physicians’ Compassion, Communication Skills, and Professionalism With and Without Physicians’ Use of an Examination Room Computer: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncology: E1-E3, 2018.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified September 01, 2026