Brightest Minds in Cancer

Cancer care is complicated, but it can be simpler when doctors work together.

That’s why the Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Cancer Institute and the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center got together — so doctors can align on best practices, share the latest technological breakthroughs, and consult with other experts who conduct research. We provide advanced care for all patients with cancer, including rare and complex cancers.

A meeting of the brightest minds in cancer

With AHN Cancer Institute, you already get a world-class cancer program with leading expertise, care, and outcomes. Our regional community network integrates academic specialty cancer care at Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) and West Penn Hospital and at more than 20 community cancer centers throughout the region.

Our collaborative processes also extend to our colleagues at Johns Hopkins Medicine, a world-wide leader in cancer research. Through the AHN Cancer Institute, you benefit from personalized treatment in your community, close to home, from your dedicated care team. And collaborating with Johns Hopkins Medicine means we can provide you with second opinions, streamlined and guided access to clinical trials, and a proven track record of excellence in care.

Customized treatments tailored to your DNA

AHN Cancer Institute and Johns Hopkins Medicine specialists work together to develop customized treatment plans according to your personal genetics. We do this by performing molecular tests on tumors to screen for 400–600 genetic mutations and then determine your care plan based on the results.

We’re also working to better identify biomarkers in cancer patients to help determine the best method of treatment for each individual.

Streamlined and guided access to hundreds more clinical trials

Patients have guided and streamlined access to over 500 new and active clinical trials at the AHN Cancer Institute and Johns Hopkins Medicine.

For example, in patients with esophageal cancer, we are working together to test the safety and effectiveness of adding immunotherapy to the standard treatments of chemotherapy and radiation. As participants in the most clinical trials in the region, we’re on the cutting-edge of medicine. And patients have more opportunities to access a full range of treatment options.

Remote second opinions without having to go far

For rare and complex cancers, you have access to second opinions from Johns Hopkins Medicine experts right here at home. AHN Cancer Institute and Johns Hopkins Medicine experts engage in peer-to-peer consultations to determine the most effective treatment plans for their patients. They combine their knowledge to discuss leading-edge treatment options, including:

  • Diagnosis confirmation/second opinions
  • Genomic testing
  • Pathology review (examination of tissue under a microscope)
  • Radiology review (examination of medical imaging)
  • Precision medicine tailored to patients’ individual needs

If you have cancer, you have us.

How do you turn "you have cancer" into "you had cancer"? You have the AHN Cancer Institute. Which means you have immunotherapy, image guided radiation, gene therapy, targeted chemotherapy and more. Everything it takes to help more patients turn you have cancer into you had cancer.

Contact us

Call the AHN Cancer Help Line anytime at (412) NURSE-4-U (412) 687-7348 to schedule a cancer-related appointment or to just talk with our nurses about diagnoses, treatments, and side effects.