Judy Un Chong Ahrar, MD
Department of Interventional Radiology, Division of Diagnostic Imaging
About Dr. Ahrar
Dr. Judy Ahrar is a Professor of Interventional Radiology at UTMD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Ahrar received her Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Miami in 2000. Currently, Dr. Ahrar serves as the Physician Liaison for the Diagnostic Imaging Professional Quality Committee since 2007, Representative for Clinical Safety and Effectiveness Committee since 2013 and Alternative Representative for the Credentials Committee since 2013. Dr. Ahrar began her medical career at UTMD Anderson Cancer Center in 2006 as an Assistant Professor in Diagnostic Radiology and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2012. Her first experience with clinical trials was during her fellowship training at the University of Texas and reflects over 14 years of direct Clinical and Research experience with the University of Texas. Her research and clinical interests are Image guided biopsy, Lung and Mediastinum biopsy, Chemoembolization of the liver and Quality Improvement.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Interventional Radiology, Division of Diagnostic Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Assistant Professor, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX
Research Interests
Image guided biopsy, Lung and Mediastinum biopsy, Chemoembolization of the liver and Quality Improvement
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2000 | University of Miami, Miami, Florida, US, MD |
| 1996 | University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, US, Biology, BS |
Postgraduate Training
| 2005-2006 | Clinical Fellowship, Interventional Radiology, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas |
| 2001-2005 | Clinical Residency, Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2000-2001 | Clinical Internship, Internal Medicine, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, North Carolina |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2023 | Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support |
| 2022 | DEA |
| 2007 | American Board of Radiology, Interventional Radiology/Diagnostic Radiology |
| 2006 | Texas Medical Board |
| 2005 | American Board of Radiology |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Department of Interventional Radiology, Division of Diagnostic Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2013 - 2018
Associate Professor, Diagnostic Radiology, Division of Diagnostic Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2013
Assistant Professor, Diagnostic Radiology, Division of Diagnostic Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2006 - 2012
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Epic Certified Physician Builder, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2016
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Specimen Source Governance Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Member, Perioperative Informatics Subcommittee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Member, Department of Anesthesiology Chair Search Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - 2020
Member, DI Informatics Functional Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2015 - Present
Provider Officer, EPIC Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2013 - Present
Representative, Clinical Safety and Effectiveness Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2013 - Present
Representative/ Alternative, Credentials Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2013 - Present
Professional Physician Liaison, Professional Quality Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2007 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2017 | Excellence in OneConnect Leadership, President's Faculty Recognition - The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
Professional Memberships
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2011 - 2016 |
| Title: | Phase 1b, escalating dose study of AVL-292, a Bruton's Tyrosine Kimase (BtK) inhibitor, as monotherapy subjects with relapsed and/or refractory B cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, and Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia |
| Funding Source: | Celgene Corporation |
| Role: | Collaborator |
| ID: | 2011-0513 |
| Date: | 2010 - 2013 |
| Title: | A phase 1b open-label, expansion study to investigate the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of intravenous CUDC-101 in subjects with advanced head and neck, gastric, breast, and liver tumors |
| Funding Source: | Curis, Inc |
| Role: | Collaborator |
| ID: | 2010-0483 |
| Date: | 2008 - 2012 |
| Title: | A study to determine correlation of MR thermal imaging to actual size of ablation during laser therapy of soft tissue metastases to bone |
| Funding Source: | BioTex, Inc |
| Role: | Collaborator |
| ID: | 2007-0393 |
| Date: | 2008 - 2011 |
| Title: | A phase I/II, open label, multi-centre study to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy of the Tor Kinase inhibitors AZD8055 administered orally to patients with advanced solid tumors, lymphomas and endometrial carcinoma |
| Funding Source: | AstraZeneca |
| Role: | Collaborator |
| ID: | 2008-0228 |
| Date: | 2006 - 2014 |
| Title: | Enhanced T-cell immunity to novel breast cancer antigens |
| Funding Source: | Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation |
| Role: | Collaborator |
| ID: | LAB05-0680 |
| Date: | 2006 - 2011 |
| Title: | A phase II study of SGN-30 in combination with CHOP in anaplastic large cell lymphoma |
| Funding Source: | SAIC-Frederick, Inc |
| Role: | Collaborator |
| ID: | 2005-0627 |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Awad A, Ahrar J, Abdelsalam ME. Cystoscope assisted trans-conduit removal of fragmented percutaneous nephrostomy catheter. Urol Case Rep 62:103176, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40919173.
- Pal K, Patel M, Chen SR, Odisio B, Metwalli Z, Ahrar J, Irwin D, Sheth RA, Kuban JD. A Single-center Experience with a Shear Thinning Conformable Embolic. J Vasc Interv Radiol 35(8):1215-1220, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38719091.
- de Groot PM, Shroff GS, Ahrar J, Sabloff BS, Gladish GM, Moran C, Gupta S, Gladish GW, Chang JY, Erasmus JJ. Implications for high-precision dose radiation therapy planning or limited surgical resection after percutaneous computed tomography-guided lung nodule biopsy using a tract sealant. Adv Radiat Oncol 3(2):139-145, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29904738.
- Litwin RJ, Huang SY, Sabir SH, Hoang QB, Ahrar K, Ahrar J, Tam AL, Mahvash A, Ensor JE, Kroll M, Gupta S. Impact of an inferior vena cava filter retrieval algorithm on filter retrieval rates in a cancer population. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 5(5):689-697, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28818223.
- Gupta N, Patel A, Ensor J, Ahrar K, Ahrar J, Tam A, Odisio B, Huang S, Murthy R, Mahvash A, Avritscher R, McRae S, Sabir S, Wallace M, Matin S, Gupta S. Multiple Renal Artery Pseudoaneurysms in Patients Undergoing Renal Artery Embolization Following Partial Nephrectomy: Correlation with RENAL Nephrometry Scores. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 40(2):202-209, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 27681271.
- Ahrar JU, Gupta S, Ensor JE, Mahvash A, Sabir SH, Steele JR, McRae SE, Avritscher R, Huang SY, Odisio BC, Murthy R, Ahrar K, Wallace MJ, Tam AL. Efficacy of a Self-expanding Tract Sealant Device in the Reduction of Pneumothorax and Chest Tube Placement Rates After Percutaneous Lung Biopsy: A Matched Controlled Study Using Propensity Score Analysis. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 40(2):270-276, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 27826786.
- McWilliams JP, Shah RP, Quirk M, White SB, Dybul SL, Ahrar J, Steele JR, Kwan SW, Handel J, Winokur RS, Gilliland CA, Durack JC. Standardized Reporting in IR: A Prospective Multi-Institutional Pilot Study. J Vasc Interv Radiol 27(12):1779-1785, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27670943.
- Kuban JD, Tam AL, Huang SY, Ensor JE, Philip AS, Chen GJ, Ahrar J, Murthy R, Avritscher R, Madoff DC, Mahvash A, Ahrar K, Wallace MJ, Nachiappan AC, Gupta S. The Effect of Needle Gauge on the Risk of Pneumothorax and Chest Tube Placement After Percutaneous Computed Tomographic (CT)-Guided Lung Biopsy. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 38(6):1595-602, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25920917.
- Ahrar K, Ahrar JU, Javadi S, Pan L, Milton DR, Wood CG, Matin SF, Stafford RJ. Real-time magnetic resonance imaging-guided cryoablation of small renal tumors at 1.5 T. Invest Radiol 48(6):437-44, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23511191.
- Ahrar JU, Stafford RJ, Alzubaidi S, Ahrar K. Magnetic resonance imaging-guided biopsy in the musculoskeletal system using a cylindrical 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging unit. Top Magn Reson Imaging 22(4):189-96, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 23514926.
- Ahrar J, Gupta S, Ensor J, Ahrar K, Madoff DC, Wallace MJ, Murthy R, Tam A, Hwu P, Bedikian AY. Response, survival, and prognostic factors after hepatic arterial chemoembolization in patients with liver metastases from cutaneous melanoma. Cancer Invest 29(1):49-55, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21166498.
- Gupta S, Bedikian AY, Ahrar J, Ensor J, Ahrar K, Madoff DC, Wallace MJ, Murthy R, Tam A, Hwu P. Hepatic artery chemoembolization in patients with ocular melanoma metastatic to the liver: response, survival, and prognostic factors. Am J Clin Oncol 33(5):474-480, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 19935383.
- Javadi J, Ahrar JU, Ninan E, Gupta S, Matin S, Ahrar K. Characterization of contrast enhancement in the ablation zone immediately after radiofrequency ablation of renal tumors. J Vasc Interv Radiol 21(5):690-695, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20227295.
- Ahrar K, Gowda A, Javadi S, Borne A, Fox M, McNichols R, Ahrar JU, Stephens C, Stafford RJ. Preclinical assessment of a 980-nm diode laser ablation system in a large animal tumor model. J Vasc Interv Radiol 21(4):555-561, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20346883.
- Ahrar K, Himmerich JU, Herzog CE, Raymond AK, Wallace MJ, Gupta S, Madoff DC, Morello FA, Murthy R, McRae SE, Hicks ME. Percutaneous ultrasound-guided biopsy in the definitive diagnosis of osteosarcoma. J Vasc Interv Radiol 15(11):1329-1333, 2004. e-Pub 2004. PMID: 15525755.
Review Articles
- Ahrar K, Sabir SH, Yevich SM, Sheth RA, Ahrar JU, Tam AL, Stafford JR. MRI-Guided Interventions in Musculoskeletal System. Top Magn Reson Imaging 27(3):129-139, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29870465.
Professional Educational Materials
- Himmerich JU, Ahrar K. Palliation of bone and soft tissue tumors with RFA. Interventional Oncology: Current practice and future trends. Manual for Conference sponsored by the Society of Interventional Radiology, 2003.
Abstracts
- Sabir S, Patel R, Lin B, Ahrar J, Tam A, Ahrar K. Enhancing the care of cancer patients with ureteral strictures managed with percutaneous nephrostomy tubes. Cancer Survivorship Symposium: Advancing Care and Research 34(3s), 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Ahrar J, Ensor J, Mahvash A, Sabir S, Steele J, McRae S, Avritscher R, Huang S, Odisio B, Murthy R, Ahrar K, Wallace M, Gupta S. Efficacy of a self-expanding tract sealant device in the reduction of pneumothorax and chest tube placement rates after percutaneous lung biopsy: a matched controlled study using propensity score analysis. Society of Interventional Radiology 2015 Annual Scientific Meeting 26(2S):S149-S150, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Huynh T, Huang S, Ahrar J, Mehran R, Ahrar K. Contemporary management of radiation-induced llio-femoral arterial occlusive disease in a cancer survivors. Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery 42nd Annual Symposium, 2014. e-Pub 2014.
- Smith JG, Ahrar K, Huynh TT, Wallace MJ, Ahrar JU. Vascular Emergencies in Cancer Patients,. Radiological Society of North America 99th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Gupta N, Patel AA, Ahrar K, Ahrar JU, Tam AL, Wallace MJ, Gupta S. Transarterial embolization of renal artery pseudoaneurysms following partial nephrectomy. Radiological Society of North America 99th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Ahrar K, Ahrar JU, Javadi S, Pan L, Milton D, Wood CG, Matin SF, Stafford RJ. Real-time MRI guided cryoablation of small renal tumors at 1.5 tesla. Global Academic Programs, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Ahrar JU, Stafford RJ, Alzubaidi S, Ahrar K. MRI-guided biopsy in the musculoskeletal system using a cylindrical 1.5-T MRI unit. Global Academic Programs, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Alzubaidi S, Ahrar JU, Javadi S, Gupta S, Stafford RJ, Ahrar K. MRI-guided biopsy using a cylindrical high-field-strength magnet: experience with 303 biopsies in 294 patients. Society of Interventional Radiology 2013 Annual Scientific Meeting 24(4S):S96, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Kuban JD, Philip AS, Chen GJ, Joseph Jr E, Tam A, Wallace MJ, Avritscher R, Ahrar JU, Ahrar K, Murthy R, Mahvash A, McRae S, Gupta S. Effect of needle size on pneumothorax and chest tube placement rates in CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsies performed using a coaxial method: a large single-center study. Society of Interventional Radiology 2012 Annual Scientific Meeting 23(3S):S27-S28, 2012. e-Pub 2012.
- Javadi S, Stafford RJ, Ahrar JU, Gupta S, Wallace MJ, Pan L, Ahrar K. Real-time MR-guided percutaneous interventions in a dedicated 1.5T clinical suite. International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 2009:2554, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Javadi S, Ahrar JU, Ninan EP, Gupta S, Matin SF, Ahrar K. Renal tumors continue to accumulate iodinated contrast in the immediate post-RFA period. Society of Interventional Radiology 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting 20(2S):S8, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Javadi S, Ahrar JU, Stafford RJ, Bock M, Jenna JW, Ahrar K. MRI-guided tumor ablation at high magnetic field: technologies, devices, advantages and limitations. Society of Interventional Radiology 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting 20(2S):S114, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Ahrar JU, Javadi S, Valenzuela Y, Gupta S, Stafford R, Ahrar K. MRI guided biopsy using a high field strength magnet: Initial experience with 95 patients. 94th Radiological Society of North America Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting Program, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Javadi S, Ahrar JU, Gupta S, Wallace MJ, Matin SF, Ahrar K. Embolotherapy in the management of patients with renal cell carcinoma: Current indications, technical considerations, and complications. 93rd Radiological Society of North America Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting Program, 2007. e-Pub 2007.
- Javadi S, Stafford RJ, Ahrar JU, Gowda A, McNichols R, Ahrar K. Principles of laser induced thermal therapy. 93rd Radiological Society of North America Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting Program, 2007. e-Pub 2007.
- Ahrar JU, Gupta S, Ensor J, Ahrar K, Madoff DC, Wallace MJ. Response and survival after hepatic artery chemoembolization in patients with melanomas metastatic to the liver. J Vasc Interv Radiol 18(1S):S57, 2007. e-Pub 2007.
- Himmerich JU, Ahrar K, Wang S, Gupta S, Raymond A, Herzog C. Utility of ultrasound-guided percutaneous biopsy in the definitive diagnosis of osteosarcoma. Society of Interventional Radiology 2004 Annual Scientific Meeting 15(2S):S231, 2004. e-Pub 2004.
- Himmerich JU, Ahrar K, Gupta S, Wallace MJ, Madoff DC, Morello FA. Intra-arterial chemotherapy for osteosarcoma: Indications, technique, and complications. Radiology 229:763, 2003. e-Pub 2003.
Book Chapters
- Metwalli Z, Ahrar JU, Wallace M. Interventional Radiology for the Cancer Patient. In: Cancer Medicine. John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2022.
- Ahrar K, Javadi S, Ahrar JU. Renal Mass Biopsy. In: Percutaneous Image-Guided Biopsy. Springer Science+Business Media, 2013.
- Ahrar JU, Ahrar K. Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy. In: Percutaneous Image-Guided Biopsy. Springer Science+Business Media, 2013.
- Ahrar JU, Javadi S, Ahrar K. Percutaneous and Transjugular Kidney Biopsy. In: Percutaneous Image-Guided Biopsy. Springer Science+Business Media, 2013.
Books (edited and written)
- Ahrar J. Cancer Medicine, 2015.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified August 20, 2026