A 2019 TOP DOC Dr. Albert Polito, Chief of Pulmonary Medicine, helps patients with lung problems including COPD, lung cancer, interstitial lung disease and sleep disorders.
Mercy's team of top surgeons are known for their expertise in correcting ankle deformities caused by unsuccessful ankle fracture treatments.
The Minimally Invasive Brain and Spine Center at Mercy is a leading neurosurgical center offering state-of-the-art technologies and clinical expertise to provide advanced treatment options.
Mercy offers emergency care on the Downtown Baltimore campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (410-332-9477) with access to a trained emergency medicine team, diagnostic services and consultations with specialists.
In case of an Emergency, Dial 911 and follow the instructions of the EMS (Emergency Medical Services) team.
Mercy Medical Center's downtown campus includes our Main Hospital - The Mary Catherine Bunting Center, McAuley Plaza and The Weinberg Center.
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Biological therapy can be used to treat certain cancers, including brain cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma, melanoma and pancreatic cancer. At Medical Oncology and Hematology at Mercy, in Baltimore, Maryland, our doctors offer patients comprehensive cancer care including biological therapy.
Biological therapy, also known as immunotherapy, biological response modifier therapy, or biotherapy, is a treatment used to energize or rebuild the immune system. The immune system is made up of organs and cells that fight infection as well disease such as cancer. It also is used to protect the body from the side effects associated with other cancer treatments.
Biological therapy may be used in conjunction with other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Biological therapies either directly or indirectly help energize the immune system in the following ways:
The most common types of biological therapy include:
Biological therapy can be performed by injection into the veins, an organ or a cavity of the body. Biological therapy may also be administered to patients as part of clinical research studies or clinical trials. These studies evaluate the impact of biological therapy on cancer treatment. Your Mercy medical oncologist can provide information about the clinical trials offered at Mercy.
Not everyone is good candidate for biological therapy. Your doctor will help you decide if biological therapy is a good treatment option for your type of cancer. Biological therapy can be used for patients with the following cancers:
Depending on your type of cancer, your medical oncologist at Mercy will develop a treatment plan based on the best possible outcome with the goal to target cancer cells, stop tumor or slow down tumor growth and prevent the cancer from spreading.
The common side effects associated with biological therapy may include the following:
Dr. Vinod Varki is a medical oncologist and hematologist at Medical Oncology and Hematology at Mercy in Baltimore, a division of The Institute for Cancer Care at Mercy.
An upbeat, determined patient seeks multidisciplinary care from Mercy experts to address her ovarian cancer.