Amr Zakaria Hegazi, MD in Baltimore: Medical Oncology with a Focus on Solid Tumors

Amr Zakaria Hegazi, MD is a board-certified medical oncologist based in Baltimore who specializes in the treatment of solid tumors, including lung, breast, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary cancers. His practice operates within Baltimore's oncology landscape, which includes Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland Medical Center's Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Mercy Medical Center's cancer services, among others. Hegazi provides inpatient and outpatient care with an emphasis on chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy protocols.

What Medical Oncology at Hegazi's Practice Involves

Medical oncologists like Hegazi differ from surgical oncologists and radiation oncologists by focusing on systemic drug therapies. This means managing chemotherapy, biologic agents, and immunotherapies rather than surgery or radiation. Hegazi sees patients both newly diagnosed with cancer and those managing recurrent or metastatic disease. The work includes selecting which drug combinations are appropriate based on tumor genetics, staging, performance status, and comorbidities; monitoring treatment response through imaging and lab work; and managing side effects. Medical oncologists also coordinate care with surgeons, radiologists, and palliative care specialists.

Services and Referral Pathway

Hegazi's practice accepts new patients by physician referral. A patient diagnosed with a solid tumor at a primary care provider, in a hospital, or through an ER visit typically receives a referral to medical oncology. The first appointment usually involves a comprehensive history, physical examination, and a review of all prior imaging and pathology reports. Treatment planning may require a tumor board review (a meeting of oncologists, surgeons, and radiologists who discuss complex cases), which is standard practice at major Baltimore centers like Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland.

Chemotherapy and infusion therapy are administered at a hospital-based or standalone infusion center rather than in an office-only setting. Hegazi's patients typically receive treatment at a facility with oncology nursing staff trained in chemotherapy administration and toxicity management. Appointment frequency for active treatment can range from weekly to every three weeks, depending on the regimen. Monitoring appointments are generally scheduled every 4 to 12 weeks after treatment completion, depending on the cancer type and risk of recurrence.

Insurance acceptance varies by plan. Most major insurers (Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Medicaid) cover oncology services, but coverage for newer immunotherapies and targeted agents can require prior authorization. Patients should verify their plan's oncology network status and any out-of-pocket requirements before the first visit.

How Hegazi Compares Within Baltimore's Oncology Landscape

Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, located in East Baltimore, is the region's largest and most research-active cancer facility, with ongoing clinical trials and specialized centers for each major tumor type. Patients seeking cutting-edge trial enrollment or rare-tumor expertise often begin at Johns Hopkins.

University of Maryland Medical Center's Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, in downtown Baltimore, offers similar breadth but generally with shorter wait times for initial consultations (often 2 to 3 weeks versus 4 to 6 weeks at Johns Hopkins). Mercy Medical Center provides oncology care with an emphasis on community-based treatment, which can reduce travel burden for patients in West or Northwest Baltimore.

Hegazi's practice is suitable for patients who value a focused, relationship-based approach to solid-tumor care and who may prefer continuity with a single oncologist rather than the team-based model at large academic centers. Johns Hopkins is preferable when a tumor is rare, aggressive, or when the patient is a candidate for research enrollment. University of Maryland is a practical alternative if wait time or proximity matters. Mercy works well for patients already within its hospital system or living far from downtown Baltimore.

Who This Practice Suits and Who It Does Not

Hegazi's oncology practice is appropriate for adults with newly diagnosed or relapsed solid tumors who have a primary care referral and insurance coverage. Patients with good functional status (able to tolerate chemotherapy) and those interested in sequential, long-term follow-up with one physician benefit most from this arrangement.

The practice is not suitable for patients seeking radiation therapy, surgical consultation, or pediatric oncology (children with cancer). Patients without a referral or insurance coverage will need to access care through a hospital emergency department or community health center first. Those seeking immediate enrollment in experimental trials may find the resources and trials available at Johns Hopkins more extensive.

What the First Visit Involves

Hegazi's first appointment typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes. Bring all pathology reports, lab results, imaging (CDs or digital links), and a complete medication list. The oncologist will review the cancer diagnosis, stage, and any prior treatment, then perform a physical examination and begin to outline a treatment plan. If scans or biopsies are recent, the plan may be discussed at that visit; if not, a follow-up appointment after staging imaging may be needed. Patients should expect to discuss side effects, fertility preservation (if relevant), and realistic outcomes for their cancer type and stage. A nurse will explain the chemotherapy regimen, infusion schedule, and what to watch for at home.

Hours, Location, and Logistics

Hegazi practices in the Baltimore area. The specific office location, hours, and parking should be confirmed directly with his office, as oncology practices often share space with infusion centers or hospital outpatient buildings where parking policies vary. Infusion appointments typically run during business hours, Monday through Friday, with some centers offering limited Saturday hours. Travel time for chemotherapy can be 2 to 4 hours per session depending on the regimen and side-effect management (premedication, antiemetics). Using public transit (MARC train or MTA bus) is feasible if the center is near a transit hub; most patients with active cancer treatment arrange personal transportation due to unpredictable fatigue.

Amr Zakaria Hegazi, MD fills a valuable niche for Baltimore patients who prefer continuity and direct access to a medical oncologist without the administrative complexity of a large cancer center, while maintaining the ability to coordinate with Johns Hopkins or University of Maryland when a specific expertise is needed.