Pancreatic, liver and biliary cancer

Cancer specialists at Ascension Saint Agnes deliver advanced care for pancreatic, liver and biliary cancers, including complex surgery and second opinions

Pancreatic, liver and biliary cancer care in Baltimore

Cancer specialists at Ascension Saint Agnes deliver advanced care for pancreatic, liver and biliary cancers, including complex surgery and second opinions

Advanced care for pancreatic, liver and biliary cancers

At Ascension Saint Agnes, our cancer specialists and surgical oncologists provide coordinated, personalized care for pancreatic, liver and bile duct cancers. We combine advanced surgical expertise with medical, radiation and interventional therapies to support you at every step of your care.

Compassionate care that starts with listening

A cancer diagnosis can raise many questions and concerns. At Saint Agnes, we take time to listen to you, understand your needs and help you navigate next steps with clarity and compassion.

The Pancreas, Liver and Bile Duct (PLBD) Center of Excellence specializes in diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer, liver cancer and biliary cancers. Whether you are newly diagnosed with cancer or seeking a second opinion, our team is here to support you.

We are committed to timely access to care. After receiving a referral, our cancer care team will contact you within 48 hours to discuss next steps.

A multidisciplinary approach to cancer care

When you choose Ascension Saint Agnes, your care is guided by a multidisciplinary care team with experience in hepatobiliary cancers. Our specialists collaborate closely to develop a personalized treatment plan based on your diagnosis, overall health and care goals.

Your care team may include:

  • Medical and radiation oncologists
  • Surgical oncologists who specialize in hepatobiliary surgery
  • Diagnostic and interventional radiologists
  • Pathologists and genetic counselors
  • Palliative care specialists and dietitians
  • Nurse navigators
  • Financial counselors

Working together as one care team helps us consider all treatment options and provide coordinated support throughout your diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

Types of pancreatic, liver and biliary cancers we treat

Your doctors and care team deliver a care plan customized for you. We treat many types of pancreatic, liver and biliary cancer, including:

  • Bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma)
  • Gallbladder cancer
  • Klatskin tumors
  • Liver cancer and liver cysts
  • Chronic liver diseases, including NASH and hepatitis A, B and C
  • Pancreatic adenocarcinoma
  • Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
  • Cystic lesions of the pancreas
  • Pancreatitis
  • Metastatic tumors involving the liver, including breast cancer and melanoma
  • Colorectal cancer

How we diagnose pancreatic, liver and biliary cancers

Your cancer care team focuses on identifying if the tumor is noninvasive or invasive, understanding where the tumor began, and whether or not the cancer has spread. We use advanced molecular studies to recognize pancreatic cancer subtypes to create a tailored care plan.

To diagnose pancreatic, liver and biliary cancer, your doctor may recommend testing, such as:

A biopsy evaluates tissue or cells to help diagnose cancer and determine its stage.

Blood tests measure substances found in your blood and can help detect or monitor certain conditions, including cancer.

This scan uses X-rays and a computer to make 3-D images of your body. A CT scan can show any part of your body, including bones, muscles, fat, blood vessels, and organs. CT scans are a lot more detailed than X-rays.

Blood tests can give your doctor a lot of information. They can see if certain elements in your blood are in a normal range. But in many cases, blood tests are only part of the information your doctor needs to make a diagnosis of a health condition. The diagnostic blood test will confirm or rule out if you have a certain condition or type of cancer.

MRIs use a strong magnet, radio waves and a computer to make detailed images of organs and other structures inside your body. An MRI is often used to look at the heart, brain, liver, pancreas, male and female reproductive organs, and other soft tissues. MRIs can show even small changes in tissues. They can assess blood flow, find tumors and diagnose many forms of cancer, evaluate infections and assess injuries to bones and joints.

Ultrasounds use high-energy sound waves to create images of blood vessels, tissues and organs.

How we treat pancreatic, liver and biliary cancer

Cancer is personal — and so is the way we care for you. Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan based on your diagnosis, health and other factors. Our multidisciplinary team offers many different treatment options, including:

An Aspira drain (often called an Aspira drainage catheter) is a medical device used to remove excess fluid from the body, usually in people with cancer or chronic conditions.

Chemotherapy (or chemo) uses medications that travel through the bloodstream to destroy cancer cells

Often shortened to “SpyGlass,” this minimally invasive endoscopic procedure allows your doctor to see directly inside the bile ducts and perform targeted diagnosis or treatment.

ERCP is a procedure used to diagnose and treat problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts and pancreas. During the procedure, your care team gently guides a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera through your mouth into your stomach and small intestine to look for any concerns. They may then inject a special dye into the bile and pancreatic ducts so these areas show clearly on X-ray images, helping identify blockages or other issues. Your team will support you throughout and focus on keeping you as comfortable as possible.

An EUS is a procedure which allows doctors to capture precise images of the digestive tract and nearby organs, including the pancreas, liver and bile ducts. It uses a thin, flexible tube with both a camera and an ultrasound probe on the tip, which is gently guided through the mouth into the stomach and small intestine. From this close position, the ultrasound can create clear images of structures that are hard to see from outside the body. If needed, the doctor can also take small tissue samples (biopsies) during the procedure to help make a diagnosis.

A gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is a procedure that lets doctors look inside the digestive tract using a thin, flexible tube with a camera. It can be passed through the mouth or rectum to examine areas like the esophagus, stomach or colon, and can also be used to take biopsies or treat certain conditions while keeping you as comfortable as possible.

This noninvasive treatment uses focused sound waves (ultrasound) to break down and destroy tumors without surgery, needles, or radiation.

Uses imaging guidance to perform minimally invasive procedures by opening blocked blood vessels to deliver targeted medication therapies for diagnosis and treatment.

Irreversible electroporation is a minimally invasive treatment that uses short pulses of electrical energy to destroy cancer cells. Thin needles are placed around the tumor, and the electrical pulses create tiny openings in the cancer cells, causing them to die while helping preserve nearby important structures like blood vessels and ducts. IRE is sometimes used for tumors in areas that are difficult to treat with surgery, such as the pancreas or liver.

Liver ablation therapy is a treatment that destroys tumors in the liver without surgery. A doctor uses imaging to guide a thin needle into the tumor and applies heat, cold or other energy to kill the cancer cells, while protecting as much healthy liver tissue as possible.

Percutaneous biliary drainage (PBD) is a procedure used to relieve a blockage in the bile ducts and help bile flow properly again.

A percutaneous biopsy is a procedure used to take a small sample of tissue from inside the body using a needle inserted through the skin.

Radiation therapy kills cancer cells with beams of high-energy X-rays (called photons) or charged particles (called electrons or protons). It can be used in many ways, depending on the type of cancer you have and where it’s located in your body.

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

TIPS is a procedure used to improve blood flow through the liver when there is high pressure in the liver’s blood vessels (called portal hypertension).

Transarterial liver-directed therapy is a group of minimally invasive treatments that deliver medication or radiation directly to tumors in the liver through the blood vessels..

Surgical oncology for liver, pancreas and biliary cancers

Surgery plays an important role in treating many pancreatic, liver and bile duct cancers. Our surgical oncologists specialize in complex hepatobiliary procedures and work closely with other cancer specialists to determine if surgery is appropriate.

Surgical oncology services may include:
  • Pancreatic cancer surgery, including Whipple procedures
  • Liver tumor resections
  • Surgery for bile duct and gallbladder cancers
  • Surgical management of metastatic disease involving the liver
  • Minimally invasive and open surgical approaches, when appropriate

If surgery is part of your treatment plan, it may be combined with therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation to support your recovery and provide the best possible care.

Call - 443-574-8500

Get a second opinion from a pancreatic cancer specialist

Deciding on a cancer treatment plan can feel overwhelming. A second opinion can provide additional insight, confirm your diagnosis or help explore other treatment options.

A second opinion can be especially important if you’ve been told surgery isn’t an option. Our surgical oncologists frequently evaluate complex cases to determine whether advanced surgical or combined treatments may be appropriate.

Our team will help coordinate your second opinion visit, gather medical records and determine whether a virtual visit is available.

Schedule an appointment - 443- 574-8500

Frequently asked questions about our pancreatic cancer care services

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. At Ascension Saint Agnes, we provide innovative medication treatments, the latest surgical technologies and techniques, high-tech radiation facilities and support services. When you choose Ascension Saint Agnes, you get a national team of experienced cancer specialists, sharing best practices and the latest in cancer care knowledge and research.

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 team can connect you to a financial counselor.

At Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital 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.

When you choose Ascension Saint Agnes, you get an entire team dedicated to your care. You may have a lot of concerns and questions. Your doctor and care team are ready to listen and answer your questions. Working together, we offer services that help support your treatment plan, including managing pain and other symptoms, medications, appetite changes, sleeplessness, fatigue and mood changes. Your entire care team stays connected throughout your care to discuss your treatment and progress.

Refer a patient for surgical oncology or hepatobiliary cancer care

Referring providers can expect timely communication and collaborative care. Our specialists focus on listening first, then developing an individualized treatment plan in partnership with the patient and referring physician.

Our surgical oncologists accept referrals for:

  • Newly diagnosed pancreatic, liver or biliary cancers
  • Surgical oncology evaluation
  • Complex or advanced hepatobiliary cases
  • Second opinions

We prioritize rapid access and multidisciplinary case review.

Providers: To refer a patient, call - 443-574-8500

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.

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