Skip Navigation

Visiting Dana-Farber? See our prescreening and mask requirements.

For Physicians

Cancer Diagnostic Service

  • Louise I. Schneider, MD, with a patient


    Louise I. Schneider, MD, a member of the Cancer Diagnostic Service team, discusses next steps with a patient.

  • The Cancer Diagnostic Service at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center can expedite a diagnosis in patients that present with signs or symptoms of cancer and where the appropriate next steps are unclear.

    Our service provides an efficient path to reach a timely diagnosis and avoid unnecessary testing and delays in treatment. The physicians at the Cancer Diagnostic Service will:

    • Thoroughly review patient medical history and records to ensure that they are appropriate for this service
    • Promptly schedule appointments
    • Conduct a comprehensive diagnostic workup with input from consulting oncologists
    • Provide a detailed report to the referring physician regarding findings and next steps
    • Quickly connect patients to the appropriate cancer specialist(s) at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, if required

    At Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, we are committed to scheduling patients as soon as possible. Patients are scheduled within five business days of referral to the Cancer Diagnostic Service. Once an appointment is scheduled, our practice assistant works with patients to obtain medical records and, in some cases, to pre-arrange diagnostic tests that are likely to be required.

    During a patient visit, we may order additional diagnostic studies, such as an endoscopy, tissue biopsy, and advanced diagnostic imaging, including an MRI, CT, PET scan, or bone scan.

    Regardless of the outcome, we will provide a report to the referring physician with the outcome of the assessment. If a cancer diagnosis is confirmed, we will assist in scheduling an appointment with the appropriate cancer specialist at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, as requested.

    Refer a Patient

    To refer a patient to the Cancer Diagnostic Service, please call 857-307-5775, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or fax to 617-394-3237. Mass General Brigham physicians may also refer a patient by submitting an Epic order to Ambulatory Referral to Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center Cancer Diagnostic Service.

    Location

    Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center Cancer Diagnostic Service
    Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Schuster/Brigham Medical Specialties Suite, ASB11, 2nd floor
    45 Francis Street
    Boston MA 02115

    Our Team

    Our team is comprised of internists and physician assistants from Brigham and Women's Hospital who specialize in diagnostic medicine, along with consulting medical oncologists from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

    Ann L. Pinto, MD, PhD
    Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care
    Brigham and Women's Hospital

    Louise I. Schneider, MD
    Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care
    Brigham and Women's Hospital

    Kerry L. Kilbridge, MD, MSc
    Consulting Medical Oncologist
    Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

    Oreofe O. Odejide, MD, MPH
    Consulting Medical Oncologist
    Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

    Cori Kostick, PA-C
    Physician Assistant
    Brigham and Women's Hospital

  • Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center logo


  • Louise I. Schneider, MD, describes the unique benefits of our Cancer Diagnostic Service.

  • What Referring Physicians Say about Collaborating with Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center's Cancer Diagnostic Service

     

    "It was very helpful; the service arranged imaging quickly, got rapid opinions from several oncologists, and enabled rapid triage to the right group."

    – Referring Primary Care Provider

     

    “Amazing supportive service for [PCPs] who don’t have time to coordinate this level of diagnostics.”

    – Referring Primary Care Provider

     

    “It was helpful and enabled the collaborative approach I wish I could do myself.”

    – Referring Primary Care Provider

     

    “It is amazing to be able to tell patients that they will be able to have expert follow-up on their concerning incidental findings that we find in the ER. It makes it easier for us to discharge them home with some peace of mind and an actual plan and next step.”

    – Referring Emergency Medicine Provider

     

    “Very easy pathway for patient to get a rapid evaluation that is appropriate and thorough.”

    – Referring Primary Care Provider