The Division of Surgical Oncology at Sinai Hospital and Northwest Hospital Center offers expertise in the treatment of the following diseases:
- Liver/Bile Duct/Pancreatic Cancers
- Esophageal/Gastric (stomach) Cancers
- Colon/Rectal Cancers
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
- Breast Cancer
- Endocrine Tumors Thyroid, Parathyroid, and Adrenal Glands
- Melanoma
- Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Both Dr. Chu and Dr. Didolkar are active members of multidisciplinary cancers teams which include radiation oncology, medical oncology, radiology, and pathology.
Using the multidisciplinary approach to cancer care and working closely with radiation and medical oncologists allows the division to offer the most advanced treatments available, while limiting the morbidity associated with more radical approaches.
The use of sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer and melanoma can limit the need for complete lymph node dissections and allow the procedure to be performed on an outpatient basis. Pancreatic and hepatic cancers are staged with the use of a laparoscope (a camera to look inside the abdomen) prior to performing major surgery. Specialized surgical techniques are used for rectal cancer to improve outcomes as well as reduce the risk of sexual and urinary dysfunction after surgery.
The Division of Surgical Oncology is among the most active centers in Baltimore, and in Maryland, performing surgery for pancreatic cancer and tumors that have spread to the liver from other organs. The Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute is one of two centers in Maryland providing regional chemotherapy (chemotherapy directed only to the liver) with the use of an implanted pump. In addition, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore was the first hospital in Maryland to offer the CyberKnife® Stereotactic Radiosurgery a non-invasive advanced technology to treat recurrent and advanced cancers.
Division Head
Mukund S. Didolkar, M.D.
Director, Surgical Oncology
410-601-8317 
