Breast cancer care

Oncologists and care teams at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital Cancer Institute in Baltimore deliver compassionate, personalized breast cancer care.

Breast cancer care in Maryland

Oncologists and care teams at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital Cancer Institute deliver compassionate, personalized breast cancer care focused on you

  • CALL TO SCHEDULE - 667-234-3434

About breast cancer care at Ascension Saint Agnes

At the Ascension Saint Agnes Breast Center and Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital Cancer Institute in Baltimore our experienced breast cancer specialists are part of a national team of doctors, sharing best practices and advanced treatment options for breast cancer —  bringing the best of oncology care  close to home. When you choose Ascension Saint Agnes, you get a multidisciplinary team of doctors that prioritize early and personalized treatment, including board-certified, fellowship-trained breast surgeons, breast radiologists, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists, along with a care navigator and a dedicated team of oncology nurses, dietitians and cancer specialists.

The Ascension Saint Agnes Breast Center is recognized by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), delivering advanced diagnostic tests, high-quality treatments and follow-up care.

Breast cancer navigator support for testing and care

Your care may include imaging, lab tests, pharmacy support, lymphedema physical therapy or other specialists — you do not have to navigate your care alone. Upon your cancer diagnosis or when you come to us during your cancer care, you’re paired with a cancer care navigator. Your care navigator will help you schedule appointments, connect with other services you need and support you along the way.

Types of breast cancer

Your doctors and care team at Ascension Saint Agnes deliver a customized care plan for your cancer. We treat many types of breast cancer, including:

  • Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): Noninvasive breast cancer in the milk ducts
  • Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC): Cancer that has spread into breast tissue beyond the milk ducts
  • Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC): Rare, invasive cancer that blocks the lymph vessels
  • Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC): Cancer that begins in milk-producing glands
  • Male breast cancer: Cancer that forms in the breast tissue of men
  • Metastatic breast cancer: Also known as stage 4 (IV) breast cancer, advanced cancer that has spread to other organs of the body

How we diagnose breast cancer

Cancer specialists who know you and your condition review your treatment and progress. Your care team focuses on identifying whether the tumor is noninvasive or invasive, determining where the tumor began and whether the cancer has spread. We use advanced molecular and genetic testing to help guide treatment planning. To diagnose breast cancer, your doctor may recommend testing, such as:

The latest imaging supports mammogram screening and diagnostic tests for advanced care, including 3D mammograms, breast ultrasound, abbreviated breast MRI and magnetic seed and needle (wire) localization biopsy.

Blood tests can give your doctor a lot of information. They can detect whether certain elements in your blood are in a normal range, and can help confirm or rule out certain conditions.

If you have a higher risk or family history of cancer, your doctor may recommend genetic screening, testing or counseling

At Ascension Saint Agnes Breast Center, we offer a comprehensive approach to identifying and monitoring your risk for developing breast cancer.

Breast biopsy tests are used to evaluate breast cells and help your doctor confirm your diagnosis and cancer stage.

How we treat breast cancer at Ascension Saint Agnes

Your treatment options for breast cancer may include medication, therapy or surgery.

Breast reconstruction is surgery to create a new breast shape in place of a breast that has been removed (mastectomy). It can be done with implants or with tissue from another part of your body. Sometimes both are used to rebuild a breast shape. The breast mound created comes as close as possible to the shape and look of a natural breast.

Surgery may be done to reconstruct either one breast (unilateral) or both breasts (bilateral). The goal of the unilateral reconstruction is to create a breast mound that matches the other breast. If both breasts have been removed, the goal of the surgery is to create both breast mounds about the size of your natural breasts.

This type of surgery, also known as a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy, only removes the tumor in its entirety. The goal of this surgery is to remove the cancer, while saving as much of the healthy breast tissue as possible. Our surgeons can discuss immediate breast reconstruction, including consultation with a plastic surgeon.

Hormones are chemicals made by glands, like the thyroid, pancreas, adrenal glands, ovaries and testicles. Hormones help some types of cancer cells grow. Some cancers that might be sensitive to hormones and be treated with hormone therapy include breast, prostate, thyroid, endometrial, and adrenal cancers. Hormone therapy can make the cancer cells grow more slowly or stop them from growing.

As a cancer treatment, hormone therapy may mean taking medicines that block the activity of the hormone, prevent the body from producing the hormone or alter the hormone. Sometimes hormone therapy involves surgically removing the gland that's making the hormones.

During a mastectomy, your surgeon removes all or part of your breast or breasts to treat breast cancer. There are several types of mastectomy, including total mastectomy and partial mastectomy. Your breast surgeon will discuss your options with you.

Specially trained physical therapists deliver therapy to help manage lymphedema symptoms, such as swelling and pain.

Advanced radiation therapy is used to target and destroy cancer cells while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue.

Ascension Saint Agnes offers the Cooler Heads Amma™ Scalp Cooling System to help eligible patients reduce chemotherapy-related hair loss during select treatments, supporting comfort and confidence throughout their cancer journey. Patients enrolled in the program receive treatment in our dedicated “Chill Zone,” a private, welcoming space designed to promote relaxation during scalp cooling sessions. Our care team provides guidance and support throughout the process to provide  a comfortable experience.

“Chill Zone” sign on a wall at Ascension Saint Agnes, identifying the dedicated private space where patients receive scalp cooling therapy to help reduce chemotherapy-related hair loss.

Private “Chill Zone” treatment room at Ascension Saint Agnes featuring comfortable chairs, soft lighting, and a calming floral wall mural, designed to support patients undergoing scalp cooling therapy to help reduce chemotherapy-related hair loss.

Comfortable seating area in the “Chill Zone” at Ascension Saint Agnes, featuring cushioned chairs, soft lighting, and a large floral wall mural, creating a calming environment for patients undergoing scalp cooling therapy during chemotherapy.

Your cancer care team provides support from nutrition education and counseling to breast cancer support groups and spiritual care. At Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital Cancer Institute, our healing gardens and chapels are always open to patients and their loved ones. We offer supportive care and activities for the whole you.

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that boosts your body’s immune system to help it recognize and attack cancer cells. It uses substances that are either made in the body or in a lab to shrink tumors or slow tumor growth.

Get a second opinion on your breast cancer diagnosis or care plan

Get the confidence and peace of mind that your doctor and care plan are right for you. It's easy to get a second opinion at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital Cancer Institute. Our breast cancer specialists in Maryland can review your medical records and healthcare history to answer your questions and discuss options.

Before your appointment, check with your insurance company to find out if a second opinion is covered. We can request your medical records on your behalf, so they can be shared with your care team before your arrival.

GET A SECOND OPINION CALL – 667-234-3434

Frequently asked questions about our breast cancer care services

At Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital Cancer Institute, your doctor and care team get to know you well, and you’ll receive care for the whole person — from physical health and well-being to mental and emotional health to support for your family and caregivers. AWe provide innovative medication treatments, the latest surgical technologies and techniques, high-tech radiation facilities and support services. Our breast surgeons are part of a national team of cancer specialists sharing the latest in cancer care knowledge and research.

Our Baltimore breast cancer specialists  we provide many advanced treatments, including:

  • Abbreviated breast MRIs
  • Breast-conserving surgery
  • Breast reconstruction and reshaping
  • Breast ultrasounds
  • Chemotherapy
  • Hidden Scar™ breast surgery
  • Hormone therapy
  • Immunotherapy and advanced targeted drug therapy
  • Lymph node transplantation 
  • Magnetic seed or wire localization
  • Minimally invasive breast biopsy with magnetic seed, fine needle or wire localization
  • Percutaneous needle biopsies
  • Radiation treatments (including brachytherapy, external beam, stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic radiation therapy)
  • 3D mammograms

Getting regular breast health screenings and health check-ups may help find breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable. We recommend women get a mammogram each year, starting at age 40, or earlier if you have a family history of breast cancer. When you choose women’s health and breast specialists at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital Cancer Institute Cancer Care in Baltimore for your care, you are connected to all the care you need – from routine screenings to advanced care.

We can connect you with resources and programs that may be able to help you and your family with options for financial assistance. Our financial counseling team is here to listen to your concerns and work with you to help find options that meet your needs. Your cancer care navigator can connect you to a financial counselor. 

At Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital Cancer Institute cancer center and clinics, we offer convenient parking. Talk to your care team if you have transportation needs.

Surgical oncologists and anesthesiologists provide enhanced recovery pathways as part of your surgical care plan. They are an important part of our cancer treatment programs. Each pathway is personalized for different types of cancer treatment, to help speed up your recovery after surgery. Your care team uses these protocols to help you prepare for what to expect before, during and after surgery.

This service requires a referral

Please call us at 667-234-2918 for information on how to obtain a referral. If you are a provider referring a patient, call 667-234-2918.

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