CHANDLER, Arizona — Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar, a radiation oncologist known for his work in prostate cancer treatment and his efforts to expand access to specialized care, has died at the age of 51, according to published reports. His death has prompted an outpouring of attention toward the physician’s professional legacy and the medical practice he founded in Arizona.
Bhatnagar, who established the Prostate Cancer Institute of Arizona, built his career around treating patients with prostate cancer, including through low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy, a form of radiation treatment that involves placing radioactive seeds inside the prostate to target cancer cells.
According to reports published in October 2026, Bhatnagar became unwell while attending the Electric Daisy Carnival in Medellín, Colombia, on October 11. He was taken to a local hospital, where his condition reportedly initially stabilized. He died the following day, October 12.
The precise cause of death has not been officially established in the sources reviewed. Although preliminary reports have raised questions about possible substance involvement, those accounts should not be treated as a confirmed medical finding. Further information from the relevant authorities is needed to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.
Bhatnagar was born in London and spent much of his childhood in Pennsylvania. He earned an undergraduate degree in bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania before completing his medical education and an MBA at the University of Pittsburgh. He subsequently trained in radiation oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
In 2022, he founded the Prostate Cancer Institute of Arizona, developing a specialized practice serving men in Chandler and the wider Maricopa County area. His work focused on prostate cancer treatment, including brachytherapy, an approach that can offer selected patients an alternative to other forms of radiation treatment.
His professional activities also extended beyond clinical practice. His published biography describes involvement in charitable initiatives, including efforts to provide cancer screening in underserved communities.
Following news of his death, the institute acknowledged the unexpected loss of its founder and said it would communicate with patients and referring providers about continuity-of-care arrangements. The practice also indicated that further information about his life and career would be shared.
For patients receiving cancer treatment, the immediate priority is continuity of care. Those affected by the closure or transition of a physician’s practice should seek direct guidance from the clinic regarding medical records, appointments and ongoing treatment plans.
Bhatnagar’s death marks the loss of a physician whose career combined specialized cancer care with independent medical practice. Further confirmed details about his death and memorial arrangements may emerge as official information becomes available.