
Urgent care vs. the ER: How to know where to go
June 11, 2026
Visit the ER for serious illness or injuries when you need emergency care. Visit urgent care for minor injuries or illnesses that need same-day care.
Gastrointestinal surgeons and oncologists at Ascension Wisconsin sites of care deliver advanced care for bile duct, liver and pancreatic cancer.

Gastrointestinal surgeons and oncologists at Ascension Wisconsin sites of care deliver advanced care for bile duct, liver and pancreatic cancer.
When you choose Ascension Wisconsin, you get a team of experienced gastrointestinal (GI) cancer doctors in Milwaukee and surrounding communities in Southeast Wisconsin who specialize in diagnosing and treating bile duct, pancreas and liver cancer. These doctors are called hepatobiliary specialists and work with gastroenterologists, oncologists and surgeons sharing best practices and the latest in cancer treatment and research – bringing the best of cancer care to you.
At Ascension Wisconsin sites of care, we have doctors who specialize in hepatopancreatobiliary and foregut conditions, including malignant and benign tumors, injuries, and strictures that affect the liver, pancreas, bile ducts, gallbladder and bowels.
Every appointment with your specialist starts with a compassionate conversation. Your doctor answers your questions and gets to know you. So, you get a personalized cancer care plan. And with a plan, comes hope. We will help you navigate your care and will be by your side every step of the way, connecting the dots. Our goal is to help you get back to home, family, life and self sooner.
At Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Care, we have a dedicated hepatobiliary clinic in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Our specialists diagnose and treat hepatopancreatobiliary (BPB) and foregut conditions, including:
At the Ascension Wisconsin Hepatobiliary Clinic, our specialists diagnose and treat many types of non-cancerous liver tumors and cysts, including:
Having cirrhosis of the liver scars the liver tissue and affects your liver function. Gastroenterology specialists provide care to adults of all ages with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcohol-related liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and infections in your abdomen and gastrointestinal tract.
Specialists at the Ascension Wisconsin Hepatobiliary Clinic manage these conditions to help prevent liver cancer and other chronic liver diseases. Symptoms of liver cancer may include:
If you have a history of chronic pancreatic problems, call the Ascension Wisconsin Hepatobiliary Clinic. Our doctors specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic disorders, including pancreatic cancer. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include:
If you have a history of gallbladder problems, digestion problems or other symptoms that concern you, talk to our hepatopancreatobiliary program care team. These and other signs and symptoms may be caused by gallbladder cancer or other conditions. Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:
Symptoms may be caused by bile duct cancer or by other conditions. Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:
Your doctor may recommend a series of tests as part of your care plan.
Our specialists deliver advanced hepatopancreatobiliary and foregut tumor treatments and therapies, including:
If your care plan includes surgery or bowel reconstruction, surgeons at Ascension Wisconsin use the latest surgical techniques to help improve your recovery and quality of life. Your care team may also refer to 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 treatments, to help speed up your recovery after surgery. Throughout your care, your care team uses these protocols to help you prepare for what to expect before, during and after surgery.
Medical oncologists provide drug treatments that are right for you, at convenient locations that are close to home. Our medical oncologists may also refer qualified candidates to our Ascension Research clinical trial coordinator in Wisconsin.
Interventional radiologists use minimally invasive procedures to deliver embolization treatments.
Cancer specialists at Ascension Wisconsin deliver advanced care for cancer that has spread to your liver. Getting the right treatment can help make a difference in your symptoms and quality of life. At Ascension Wisconsin, our cancer care teams provide treatments for metastatic liver cancer, such as:
If multiple tumors are detected in the lobes or outside the liver, we can provide surgical consultations to determine if you are a candidate for surgery. And our surgical team can connect you with other specialists and advanced care options for your needs.
Specialists perform minimally invasive ablation procedures using heat, cold or an electric current to destroy a cancerous tumor in the pancreas, liver or kidney.
Hepatopancreatobiliary procedures include pancreatoduodenectomy, also known as the Whipple procedure, to surgically remove the head of the pancreas, bile duct and lymph nodes around the bile duct to treat cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), liver tumors, and pancreatic cancer. Distal pancreatectomy is a procedure to surgically remove pancreatic tumors in the tail of the pancreas.
Ascension Wisconsin cancer centers participate in ongoing clinical trials. To learn more, visit the Ascension Wisconsin Research Institute website.
Your doctor and care team work together with you on a care plan. First, you will meet with a specialist and care team to discuss your diagnosis and care options. Your doctor will answer your questions, paying attention to your physical and emotional needs and those of your caregivers, including changes in your diet. And your entire care team stays connected to discuss your treatment and progress. As your care needs change, we’re ready to support you. Call 414-298-7133 to schedule an appointment today.
At many of our Ascension sites of care transportation is available through Lyft, at no cost to you. Simply call the clinic you need a ride to in order to schedule it. If Lyft is not available in your area, check with your insurance company because they may also provide transportation.
Southeast Wisconsin Cancer CentersAscension All Saints Hospital Cancer Center (Racine, Wisconsin)
Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital — Mayfair Road Cancer Care (Wauwatosa, Wisconsin)
Reiman Cancer Center — Ascension Wisconsin Health Center - Rawson Avenue (Franklin, Wisconsin)
Sherman Cancer Center — Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital — Elmbrook Campus (Brookfield, Wisconsin)
Northeast Wisconsin Cancer CentersAscension Calumet Hospital Cancer Care (Chilton, Wisconsin)
Ascension NE Wisconsin — St. Elizabeth Campus Cancer Center (Appleton, Wisconsin)
Michael D. Wachtel Cancer Center — Ascension NE Wisconsin — Mercy Campus (Oshkosh, Wisconsin)
If you are a provider referring a patient, please call 414-298-7133.
When you are facing a new cancer diagnosis or are deciding on a surgical or therapeutic treatment plan, there’s a lot to think about. Our cancer specialists can provide a second opinion, based on our experience and as part of a national team.
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 that they can be shared with your care team before your arrival. Call 414-298-7133 to talk to a specialist.
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.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.
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