UM Marlene And Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center in Baltimore: Gynecologic Oncology for High-Risk and Cancer Cases
The University of Maryland Medical Center's Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated facility where gynecologists and gynecologic oncologists treat ovarian, endometrial, cervical, and vulvar cancers, as well as benign gynecologic conditions in patients with concurrent cancer diagnoses or cancer history. Located on the UM Medical Center campus in West Baltimore, it is one of two NCI-designated cancer centers in Maryland and the primary referral destination for gynecologic oncology cases in the region.
What Greenebaum actually is
The Greenebaum Center functions as both a specialty cancer hospital and a teaching facility affiliated with the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Gynecologic oncologists here hold faculty appointments and conduct clinical research, which means patients have access to clinical trials not available at independent practices. The center houses dedicated surgical suites for complex gynecologic cancer procedures, chemotherapy infusion services, and radiation oncology (external beam and brachytherapy for gynecologic cancers). Unlike a community gynecology practice, this is a tertiary care setting: patients come because their conditions require subspecialty expertise, advanced imaging, tumor boards, or participation in research protocols. Most patients are referred here from primary care or community gynecologists rather than seeking it out directly.
Services and treatment focus
The gynecologic oncology team at Greenebaum diagnoses and treats invasive epithelial ovarian cancers, uterine and endometrial cancers, cervical cancers, vulvar malignancies, and gestational trophoblastic disease. Surgical care includes cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer, hysterectomy and staging procedures, and minimally invasive approaches where appropriate. Chemotherapy is delivered via intravenous infusion in the center's medical oncology suite. Radiation oncology is available both as external beam treatment and brachytherapy (internal radiation for gynecologic cancers). The center also treats benign gynecologic conditions (fibroids, endometriosis, prolapse) in patients with a cancer history or in those undergoing cancer screening because of genetic risk (BRCA mutations, Lynch syndrome). Pricing is handled through standard hospital billing: uninsured patients should expect to pay UM Medical Center's chargemaster rates plus surgeon and anesthesia fees, though the hospital offers financial assistance programs based on income. Insured patients pay according to their plan's in-network benefits. Specific out-of-pocket costs depend on procedure type and insurance; patients should contact the center's financial counselor to estimate costs before scheduling surgery.
How Greenebaum compares to other Baltimore gynecologic oncology options
Baltimore has two NCI-designated cancer centers: the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UM) and the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. Johns Hopkins also has a strong gynecologic oncology program with faculty at multiple sites. Choose Greenebaum if your primary care doctor or gynecologist already refers to UM, if you prefer a UM-affiliated primary care team, or if you have clinical trial access through UM partnerships. Choose Johns Hopkins if your referring physician has established relationships there, if you live closer to Johns Hopkins' multiple Baltimore locations, or if you have a specific clinical trial interest at their institution. Both centers maintain tumor boards and offer similar multimodal cancer treatment. For patients with benign gynecologic conditions and no cancer history, community gynecologists and UM's main gynecology department (not oncology-specific) are appropriate and more convenient; referral to Greenebaum is unnecessary unless cancer risk or diagnosis is present.
Who this suits and who it doesn't
Greenebaum is for patients with confirmed gynecologic cancer, patients with genetic predispositions to gynecologic cancer (BRCA1/2, Lynch syndrome) who need specialized surveillance, or those whose primary gynecologist has referred them for a second opinion on a complex case. It is not appropriate for routine gynecology (annual exams, contraception, menopause management) unless cancer is involved. Wait times for initial consultation after referral typically range from two to six weeks; patients with recently diagnosed cancer are prioritized. Self-referral is technically possible but rare; insurance usually requires a referral from a primary care physician or gynecologist.
What the first visit involves
A new patient at gynecologic oncology will complete intake paperwork, provide detailed surgical and medical history, and undergo a physical examination. The gynecologic oncologist will review any prior imaging (ultrasound, CT, MRI) and pathology reports. If cancer has been diagnosed, the visit may include discussion of surgical and chemotherapy options, genetic counseling referral if appropriate, and scheduling of additional imaging or procedures. If the visit is a second opinion or risk assessment, the oncologist will outline surveillance recommendations and any preventive options. Appointments typically last one to two hours. Bring all prior medical records, imaging on CD when available, and a list of current medications.
Hours, location, and parking
The Greenebaum Center is located at the University of Maryland Medical Center campus at 22 South Greene Street in downtown Baltimore. Clinic hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (verify directly as hours may shift seasonally). Surgical procedures are scheduled throughout the week. Parking at UM Medical Center is available in multiple garages; paid parking rates are $3 for the first two hours and $6 per day maximum. UM patients may validate parking through their visit; ask at the front desk. Public transit via the MTA Red Line serves the Greene Street station two blocks away. Chemotherapy infusions run on weekday mornings; radiation oncology has multiple time slots.
The Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center fills a critical role in Baltimore's cancer care ecosystem, providing research-integrated gynecologic oncology that community gynecologists cannot replicate. Patients benefit from subspecialty expertise, participation in clinical trials, and coordinated care in a single institution.
