Asst. Prof. Dr. Altaf Hossain (Riad)

Asst. Prof. Dr. Altaf Hossain (Riad) – Oncologist & Advanced Cancer Specialist, Khulna

Asst. Prof. Dr. Altaf Hossain (Riad) is an Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at the National Institute of Cancer Research & Hospital (NICRH), Dhaka, with over 14 years of distinguished clinical, academic, and advanced oncological experience. As an eminent Cancer Specialist, he provides expert care for severe and complex malignancies, uniquely focusing on cutting-edge therapeutic modalities such as radioisotope therapy, tumor treating fields, oncolytic viral therapies, and the multidisciplinary integration of chimeric antigen (CAR-T) and immune effector cell therapies. Patients seeking expert oncological evaluation receive evidence-based, next-generation treatments tailored to halt disease progression in even the most refractory cancer cases. His medical practice combines high-precision radiation delivery with individualized, futuristic patient care plans.

Professional Biography

Asst. Prof. Dr. Altaf Hossain (Riad) completed his MBBS degree, establishing a comprehensive clinical foundation in general medical sciences. Demonstrating a profound commitment to advanced cancer care, he entered the prestigious BCS (Health) cadre and pursued highly rigorous postgraduate specialization, earning his Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Radiation Oncology. This premier clinical qualification equips him with the advanced medical and physical expertise required to manage highly complex malignancies using the latest innovations in targeted radiation and integrated cellular therapies. Finding the best Oncologist in Dhaka leads patients to rely on his 14+ years of academic leadership and specialized clinical expertise at NICRH, the central apex cancer institution of Bangladesh.

His primary clinical focus includes systemic radioisotope therapies (such as Lutetium-177 or Radium-223) for metastatic cancers, the application of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) for glioblastomas, the coordination of bridging radiation for patients undergoing CAR-T and immune effector cell therapies, and clinical integration of oncolytic viral agents for advanced melanoma or refractory solid tumors. His diagnostic framework incorporates advanced PET-CT and targeted molecular imaging analysis, genetic profiling, and comprehensive oncological risk stratification to formulate effective, long-term survival strategies for advanced-stage cancer patients.

At-a-Glance Profile Card

Qualifications & Education

• MBBS – Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery

• BCS (Health) – Bangladesh Civil Service (Health Cadre)

• MD (Radiation Oncology) – Doctor of Medicine in Radiation Oncology

Designation & Workplace

• Designation: Assistant Professor (Radiation Oncology)

• Workplace: National Institute of Cancer Research & Hospital (NICRH), Mohakhali, Dhaka

Diseases Treated

• Glioblastoma multiforme requires aggressive chemoradiation and Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields).

• Metastatic prostate cancer demands targeted radioisotope therapy (e.g., Lutetium-177 PSMA or Radium-223).

• Neuroendocrine tumors require specialized Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT).

• Refractory hematological malignancies (Leukemia/Lymphoma) demand bridging radiotherapy prior to CAR-T cell therapy.

• Advanced melanoma requires targeted immunotherapy and oncolytic viral therapy (e.g., T-VEC).

• Thyroid cancer demands targeted radioactive iodine (I-131) ablation therapy.

• Breast cancer requires post-operative radiation and systemic biological/chemotherapy.

• Lung cancer demands concurrent chemoradiation or targeted biological agents.

• Colorectal cancer requires neoadjuvant chemoradiation and systemic biological agents.

• Head and neck cancers demand highly precise intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

• Cervical cancer demands external beam radiation combined with brachytherapy.

• Brain metastasis demands stereotactic radiosurgery to preserve cognitive function.

• Bone metastasis requires palliative radioisotopes or external beam radiation for rapid pain relief.

• Soft tissue sarcomas require aggressive surgical margins and post-operative radiation.

Clinical Specialties & Treatment Areas

• Targeted Radioisotope Therapy: Precision management using radioactive drugs injected into the bloodstream that seek out and destroy cancer cells throughout the body (e.g., for prostate cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, and thyroid cancer).

• Advanced Glioblastoma & TTFields Management: Highly specialized care utilizing portable medical devices that create alternating electrical fields to disrupt cancer cell division in aggressive brain tumors.

• Integrative Cellular & Oncolytic Therapies: Expert coordination of radiation therapy alongside cutting-edge systemic treatments, including CAR-T cell therapy bridging, immune effector cells, and cancer-killing viruses.

Advanced Procedure Breakdown

Targeted Radioisotope Therapy (Theranostics)

Instead of beaming radiation from outside the body, Dr. Altaf utilizes radioactive isotopes attached to targeted molecules that are injected into the patient. These molecules act like homing beacons, specifically attaching to cancer cells (like PSMA receptors on prostate cancer cells) and delivering a microscopic, lethal dose of radiation directly inside the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields)

An innovative, FDA-approved treatment primarily for Glioblastoma. Dr. Altaf oversees the application of this non-invasive therapy where the patient wears a portable device (like a helmet of transducer arrays). This device creates specific electrical fields across the brain that physically disrupt the division of cancer cells, slowing or stopping the tumor from growing without the side effects of traditional chemotherapy.

Bridging Therapy for CAR-T & Immune Effector Cells

CAR-T cell therapy is a revolutionary treatment where a patient's own immune T-cells are genetically engineered to attack their cancer. For patients with bulky or rapidly progressing tumors, Dr. Altaf provides highly precise "bridging" radiation therapy to control the disease and shrink massive tumors just enough to safely keep the patient stable until their engineered CAR-T cells are ready for infusion.

Condition-Specific Deep Dives

Refractory Glioblastoma & Brain Malignancies

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive primary brain tumor. Because it rapidly develops resistance to standard chemotherapy and radiation, advanced interventions are necessary. The integration of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) provides a constant, localized disruption of cancer cell division, significantly extending survival rates and improving the quality of life for patients facing recurrent brain malignancies.

Advanced Metastatic Prostate & Neuroendocrine Tumors

When prostate cancer or neuroendocrine tumors spread extensively to the bones or other organs and stop responding to traditional hormone therapy or chemotherapy, targeted radioisotopes offer a lifeline. Treatments like Lutetium-177 specifically seek out the cancer cells anywhere in the body, binding to them and destroying them from the inside out with minimal systemic toxicity.

Melanoma & Solid Tumors (Oncolytic Viral Therapy)

Oncolytic viral therapy is a breakthrough approach where a genetically modified virus (such as T-VEC for advanced melanoma) is injected directly into a tumor. The virus infects and kills only the cancer cells. As the cancer cells burst, they release antigens that trigger the patient's own immune system to wake up and attack any remaining cancer cells throughout the entire body.

The Doctor’s Clinical Approach

Asst. Prof. Dr. Altaf Hossain (Riad) utilizes over 14 years of profound clinical wisdom to approach highly complex, advanced-stage malignancies. His philosophy emphasizes moving beyond traditional chemotherapy and radiation, focusing on next-generation theranostics, empowering the body's own immune system through cellular therapies, and providing a deeply personalized, multidisciplinary approach to extending life in refractory cancer cases.

Specialized Risk Factors

Emergency Callout: Immediate emergency medical evaluation is required if a patient receiving CAR-T or immune effector therapy develops sudden high fever, severe shivering, confusion, or sudden drops in blood pressure (Cytokine Release Syndrome or Neurotoxicity), a radioisotope patient experiences sudden, severe bone pain with leg weakness (spinal cord compression), or any patient undergoing active oncological treatment develops a fever over 100.4°F (38°C) with chills (Febrile Neutropenia).

Certifications & Professional Memberships

• Member, Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC)

• Assistant Professor, BCS (Health) Cadre

• Member, Oncology Club, Bangladesh

Patient Visit Preparation Checklist

• Bring all prior biopsy reports, immunohistochemistry (IHC) markers, targeted genetic/molecular testing results, and all recent PET-CT or targeted molecular imaging scans.

• Maintain a complete list of current prescription medications, specifically noting any prior lines of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted biological agents.

• Keep a detailed symptom diary noting any severe fatigue, new neurological symptoms (headaches, confusion), or changes in bone pain.

• Ensure a family member accompanies the patient, as advanced therapies (like radioisotopes or cellular therapies) involve highly complex logistical planning, isolation protocols, and side-effect management strategies.

Last Modified: October 27, 2026