Central Maine Healthcare

Where You are the Center

Radiation Oncology

Lymphoma

A diagnosis of lymphoma can be a life-changing moment. But at Central Maine Healthcare, we combine compassionate care with a full range of treatments.

Treating Lymphoma

The first goal of lymphoma treatment is to get blood counts back to normal.  If this occurs and the bone marrow looks healthy under the microscope, the cancer is said to be in remission.  We’ll work closely with you to create the best possible treatment plan, including a full range of cancer support services to meet your needs.

Chemo/biotherapy

Chemo/biotherapy is used to kill cancer cells with medicines delivered either directly into your vein or by way of a pill taken by mouth. It is usually given if the tumor has returned or spread.

Radiation Therapy

We use the most advanced technology available to target cancer with extreme precision. Treatments include 3D conformal therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). All of these focus high-dose radiation directly on the tumor, while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.  This treatment is overseen by a radiation oncologist, a doctor who specializes in using radiation to treat cancer.

Central Maine Medical Center offers this service at The Cynthia A. Rydholm Cancer Treatment Center, which has state-of-the-art radiation therapy services.

Bone Marrow Transplant

In some cases, a bone marrow transplant (also called a stem cell transplant) is an option. The procedure is used to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells. Stem cells are immature cells in the bone marrow that give rise to all of your blood cells. A bone marrow transplant replaces bone marrow that either is not working properly or has been destroyed by chemotherapy or radiation.

The oncologists at Central Maine HealthCare may also use innovative options like immunotherapy.  With this treatment, medication triggers your immune system to attack and kill cancer cells.

Support for Every Step

We’re committed to caring for the whole you. That’s why we provide the resources you and your loved ones need to manage the journey from diagnosis to treatment to remission. You’ll find a full range of free or low-cost cancer support services—from education to rehabilitation, nutritional to spiritual counseling, support groups and more empowering programs.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer kills more people in a year than colon, breast and prostate cancer combined. But the good news is that with new life-saving screening and treatment options, lung cancer death rates have been on the decline since 1990. Central Maine Healthcare is committed to reducing your odds of getting this disease.

About Lung Cancer

Lung cancer starts when lung cells begin to grow out of control. There are four main types of this cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the more common of the two. It grows more slowly and is less likely to spread. The other is small cell lung cancer (SCLC). It progresses quickly and is likely to spread beyond the lungs.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women, mostly attributed to smoking. What makes it especially dangerous is that lung cancer symptoms often don’t appear until the disease has reached advanced stages. Fortunately, new screenings can now catch the condition in its earliest and most treatable stages—saving many more lives.

Prevention

The number one way to prevent lung cancer is to quit smoking for good. Smoking causes four out of five lung cancer deaths but if you quit, your odds of getting the disease begin to decline. Your provider can help you decide which strategy for quitting will be best for you. And for additional support, you can contact the Maine QuitLink for free tools and resources

Detection and Diagnosis

Lung cancer can usually be cured if it’s detected early. Unfortunately most lung cancers are not caught until they are advanced. At Central Maine Healthcare we’re fighting to change that. We offer low-dose computed tomography (also known as LDCT). It’s a fast, painless way to detect lung cancer when it’s still in an early stage.

If you’re over 55 and have a history of heavy smoking, don’t wait another day.  Schedule your screening at a location near you.

Personalized Treatment Plans

More than 95% of suspicious areas found during screenings are benign. But if you are diagnosed with cancer, our Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center is ready to help you fight the disease. We can target tumors with image-guided radiation, which focuses on the tumor while sparing healthy tissue. And promising advances in immunotherapy are helping lung cancer patients live longer. Your cancer care team will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan using the best therapies for your specific cancer.

Support

We’re committed to providing you all the education, tools and resources you and your loved ones need to manage a cancer diagnosis. You’ll find a full range of free or low-cost cancer support services—from education to rehabilitation, nutritional to spiritual counseling, support groups and more to meet your needs.

Screenings and Diagnosis

The goal of lung cancer screening is to save lives. Central Maine Healthcare wants to make it as easy as possible for anyone in our community who is at high risk for the disease to be screened. The test takes only 10 minutes and is covered by most insurance. And if you are uninsured, we can offer a reduced rate. It’s a small price to pay to catch this disease before it becomes deadly.

Please contact our Lung Navigator at 207-753-3954 to learn more about lung cancer screening. Or find a lung specialist anytime online.

Why Lung Cancer Screening?

With lung cancer, symptoms usually don’t appear until the disease has advanced, which is why a screening is so important for high-risk patients. Central Maine Healthcare offers low-dose CT scans, a groundbreaking new tool that can catch lung cancer before symptoms show. During this simple test, an X-ray machine scans the body, using low doses of radiation to make detailed pictures of the lung. It’s safe, painless and has proven to reduce the risk of lung cancer death by up to 20%.

Are You at High Risk for Lung Cancer?

Low-dose CT lung scans are recommended for the following groups of people who are at high risk for lung cancer:

  • People ages 50−80
  • Who have at least a 20-pack-per-year smoking history
  • People who still smoke or have quit within the past 15 years

What is Low-Dose CT Scanning?

During this simple test, an X-ray machine scans the entire body, using low doses of radiation to make detailed pictures of the lung. This allows our providers to detect even the smallest tumors, and offers a variety of benefits for patients at high-risk of lung cancer:

  • Effective: Studies show that low-dose CT is four times more likely to pick up a mass than a traditional chest X-ray. It has also proven to be at least as effective as mammography and colonoscopy screenings in saving lives.
  • Safe: CT scanning for lung cancer uses up to 90% less radiation than a conventional chest CT scan.
  • Painless: It’s non-invasive and only takes a few minutes to complete.
  • Convenient: CT scans are offered at our three locations: Central Maine Medical Center, Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital.


If we find anything abnormal, our dedicated team will arrange follow-up testing and, if needed, work closely with you to create a personalized cancer treatment plan to help return you to good health.

Care You Can Trust

The CMMC Lung Cancer Screening Center is one of only seven hospitals in the state of Maine to be officially designated as a Lung Cancer Screening Center. So you can be confident your lung cancer screening will be safe and effective.

Treatment

Until recently, a diagnosis of lung cancer usually meant a poor prognosis, especially since lung cancer symptoms don’t appear until the disease has progressed. But with new early detection tools and innovative treatment options, survival rates continue to rise.

Central Maine Healthcare is staffed by experienced lung cancer specialists. Together, this dedicated team—including board-certified pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, radiation and medical oncologists, specialized nurses and more—will work with you to create the best possible treatment plan.

We specialize in minimizing pain and side effects, plus access to a full range of cancer support services, so you can focus on healing.

Surgery

Surgery is performed to remove the lung tumor, as well as nearby lymph nodes in the chest to check for signs of cancer. It is typically used for early stage lung cancer, when the cancer has not spread, and in some cases, may completely cure the disease. Following surgery, additional treatments such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be used to lower the risk of the cancer returning.

Radiation Therapy

Central Maine Healthcare uses the most advanced technology available to target lung tumors with extreme precision. Treatments include intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), which focus high-dose radiation directly on the tumor, while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. We also treat lung cancer from the inside with HDR brachytherapy, which delivers radiation from small implants located close to the tumor.

Medical Therapy

We also offer the latest and most effective chemotherapy options. Chemotherapy has shown to improve both the length and quality of life for people with lung cancer of all stages.

Other medical oncology services include:

  • Targeted Therapy: We now look for changes in lung cancer genes that can be targeted with oral (pill) treatments. These gene mutations can be targeted by drug therapy. Having this information helps us develop a treatment plan that’s specifically designed to fight your specific tumor. Most targeted therapies are oral medications that can be taken at home. They can spare patients hair loss, nausea, low blood counts or increased risk for infection. They are also more convenient and can enhance quality of life compared to standard treatments.
  • Immunotherapy: Recent FDA-approved drug therapies give people the ability to fight lung cancer using the body’s natural defense mechanism: the immune system. Immunotherapy works by making hidden cancer cells visible to the immune system, allowing white blood cells to fight and kill the cancer. Studies have shown immunotherapy drugs to be well-tolerated with minimal side effects, and when combined with more traditional treatments, have doubled lung cancer survival rates.

Kidney Cancer

About Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer – also known as renal cancer – is among the top 10 most common cancers for men and women. The rate of new kidney cancer diagnosis has risen as it is being detected more frequently through CT scans. When caught early, it is treatable and the number of survivors in remission has grown.

The disease starts when the cells of the kidneys mutate and form a tumor. Sometimes multiple tumors can form, break off and move into different parts of the body.

There are two main types of kidney cancer:

  • Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer and accounts for about 90 percent of cancerous tumors. It starts in the lining of very small tubes in the kidney.
  • Wilms’ tumor may develop in young children but is rare.

Kidney cancer does not usually cause signs or symptoms in the early stages, and there are currently no routine screening tests. In the later stages, kidney cancer signs and symptoms could include blood in the urine, back pain that won’t go away, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, chronic fatigue and intermittent fevers.

Prevention

Researchers aren’t sure exactly what causes kidney cancer, but there are things that can increase your risk. These are known as risk factors and include:

  • Older age
  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • High blood pressure / hypertension
  • Kidney failure treatment / dialysis
  • Inherited syndromes like von Hippel-Lindau, Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis
  • Family history of kidney cancer
  • Frequent exposure to cadmium or specific herbicides

There best preventative measures include taking steps to improve your current health:

  • Quit smoking
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Control high blood pressure

Detection and Diagnosis

Kidney cancer is usually detected at more advanced stages because it can grow quite large before causing discomfort or pain. Tumors are also difficult to detect in a standard physical because the kidneys are deep inside the body. The majority of cases where kidney cancer is caught early on scans, the patient was being tested because they were suffering from symptoms of other kidney issues. If you are not at increased risk, then putting yourself through frequent CT scans or MRIs is not recommended.

Treatment

If you find that you have kidney cancer, rest assured you have some of central Maine’s best experts by your side. Our dedicated team—including board-certified urologic surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists and more specialists—works closely with you to create a personalized treatment plan.

Surgery

Surgery to remove of all or part of the kidney is the main treatment for most kidney cancers and may include removing the surrounding tissues or lymph nodes. Until recently, kidney removal could only be accomplished through a surgical procedure called open or partial nephrectomies. This procedure requires a large, muscle-cutting abdominal incision, removal of a rib and a relatively longer hospital stay and recovery period.

Fortunately, new minimally invasive techniques now make the procedure much easier for patients.  At Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center, we offer laparoscopic surgery, which allows your surgeon to perform an operation that results in significantly less pain and a faster recovery.

Chemotherapy & Radiation Therapy

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are generally not effective for treating kidney cancer, but immunotherapy may help some patients by increasing their body’s immune response in the setting of metastatic disease.

Genetic Counseling

If you have a family history of kidney or renal cancer, it is possible to test for hereditary cancer syndromes. The Cancer Care Center’s genetic counselors can work with you and your providers to determine if you are at risk for certain cancers and steps that should be taken to prevent cancer cells and tumors.

Support

Throughout your journey, you’ll find a variety of cancer support services to meet your physical, emotional, spiritual and financial needs. That includes your very own nurse navigator to coordinate all of your care, answer any questions and provide extra comfort and support every step of the way.

Screening and Diagnosis

If you’re worried you might have kidney cancer, we know it can be upsetting and distracting. At Central Maine Health, we understand not knowing can be the most difficult experience. That’s why we’re focused on providing the expert medical attention you need to get a diagnosis as quickly and accurately as possible.

Screening for Kidney Cancer

A screening test is used to find cancer before symptoms appear. While there are no recommended screening tests for kidney cancer in people who are at average risk, there are symptoms you should be aware of. And even though these symptoms are more often caused by conditions that are not cancer, you should still see your provider.

Symptoms that may indicate kidney cancer include:

  • Blood in your urine, which may appear pink, red or cola colored
  • Low back pain on one side (not caused by injury)
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss not caused by dieting
  • Tiredness
  • Fever, which usually comes and goes (intermittent)
  • Anemia (low red blood cell counts)

Screening for People at Higher Risk for Kidney Cancer

Some people inherit from their parents conditions that put them at higher risk for the disease. If you’re at a higher risk, your provider may recommend regular imaging tests like MRI, CT or ultrasound scans to look for kidney tumors. When these are found early, kidney cancer can often be cured.

Talk to your provider if anyone in your family (blood relatives) currently has kidney cancer or had it in the past, especially at a younger age. Also, you may be advised to have genetic testing done if you have a family history of inherited conditions linked to this cancer. These conditions include von Hippel-Lindau disease, hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma, and Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) syndrome.

Genetic testing cannot detect kidney cancer. It can only tell you if you’re at a higher risk for the disease. If you are at higher risk, your provider may recommend regular testing. It’s important to note that a genetic test that shows you may be at higher risk does not mean you will get cancer. If genetic testing is recommended by your provider, our genetic counselors will help you understand what the test means for you.

Diagnosis of Kidney Cancer

If your provider suspects you may have kidney cancer, they will want to get more information. First, they will want to ask questions about your symptoms and learn more about your medical history.  They will also want to give you a physical exam to see if anything feels abnormal in your abdomen and to check for other signs of cancer or other health problems.  They may also order one or more of the following tests:

Blood and/or Urine Tests

A sample of your blood or urine is examined to show if there may be any problems with your kidneys. The tests cannot show whether or not you have cancer for certain, but they do provide your provider the information they need to determine next steps in your diagnosis.

Imaging Tests

There are many varieties of imaging tests, but all use either x-rays, sound waves, radioactive substances or magnetic fields to create pictures of the inside of the body. They help your provider look at areas they suspect may be cancer, to see how far cancer has spread, and/or to help find out if treatment is working. Examples of these tests include computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, ultrasound, chest x-rays and bone scans.

Biopsies

If imaging tests are not clear enough, a biopsy can help your provider determine if an area may be cancerous. In this case, he’ll remove a small sample of tissue, often with a needle. This sample is sent to a pathologist, who will look for any signs of cancer.

Guiding You Every Step of the Way

If you are diagnosed with kidney cancer, Central Maine Healthcare is here to support you and your family. Our nurse navigators work with you from your first appointment, helping you through your journey. They can provide or connect you with a wide variety of support services, including financial counseling, shuttle services, free lodging for family members at Arbor House, nutritional support and educational resources.

Treatment

Taking on cancer isn’t easy for anyone. At Central Maine Healthcare, we want to help you in your fight. We provide the highest-quality kidney cancer care, from advanced imaging, to a full range of treatment options and support services.

After your diagnosis, the first step in creating your treatment plan will be to determine what stage your cancer is. Stage 1 is least severe and stage 4 is most. Understanding the size of the tumor and how far the cancer has spread helps your provider understand how to treat the cancer and how successful that treatment may be.

Surgery for Kidney Cancer

Usually surgery will be the first step and is frequently the only intervention needed. Because we have two kidneys, it’s possible to live a full and healthy life with only one. Your provider may remove some or all of a kidney to treat your cancer.

Total Nephrectomy is the most common surgery done for kidney cancer. It removes the entire kidney, and occasionally the adrenal gland and surrounding tissue. A total nephrectomy can be done with a hand-assisted laparoscopic approach, which involves a few small incisions.

Partial Nephrectomy is removal of just the tumor, leaving as much normal kidney tissue as possible. This is done in some cases when the patient has a smaller tumor and it is in a favorable location within the kidney.

If both kidneys must be removed, or if neither of them is working, you may need dialysis. Dialysis is using a machine to clean your blood the way a healthy kidney normally would. Or if your cancer has not spread outside your kidneys, you may be able to have a kidney transplant, if a donated kidney is available.

Options in Addition to Surgery

Surgery isn’t the only way to manage kidney cancer.

Immunotherapy stimulates your body’s natural defenses (also known as your immune system) to boost your ability to fight cancer. It involves substances made by your body or in a lab. These substances are man-made versions of natural proteins that can reduce the size of kidney cancers in a small percentage of patients. This is generally only employed in cases where the tumor has spread to other parts of the body and surgery would not be curative.

Cryotherapy uses an external probe, often guided by a radiologist using ultrasound, to freeze and kill the tumor. This is often a good option for small tumors in patients who do not want or cannot tolerate surgery.

Arterial embolization is a procedure that stops blood supply to a tumor in the kidney. It may be used before surgery to reduce bleeding from a large tumor, to relive pain or to control other symptoms.

Radiofrequency ablation “cooks” a tumor with high-energy radio waves and is similar to cryoablation.

Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. A machine sends these x-rays into your body and to the cancer. In kidney cancer, radiation therapy is often used to help with symptoms in patients who cannot have surgery.

Chemotherapy is less effective for treatment of kidney cancer than for some other cancers. It uses anti-cancer drugs which may be injected into the vein or taken by mouth as pills. These drugs kill the cancer cells or stop them from growing. It works best on kidney cancer which contains spindle cells known as sarcomatoid variant. 

Support for Healing the Whole You

Dealing with cancer treatment can be difficult. At Central Maine Healthcare we offer many different support services to help you fight the disease. Our nurse navigators assist you through the entire process of diagnosis, treatment and recovery. And our social workers can connect you with the counseling and information you and your family need to manage the emotional, spiritual, financial and practical needs that come with a cancer diagnosis.

Head and Neck Cancer

At Central Maine Healthcare, we’re committed to bringing the most effective treatments for this cancer to our communities in central Maine.

About Head and Neck Cancer

Each year, about 110,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with head and neck cancer, a group of cancers that starts in or near your mouth, throat, larynx, nose or sinuses. Most begin in the cells that line the surfaces of these areas. Head and neck cancer may also be called oral cavity cancer or oropharyngeal cancer.

There are five main types of the disease, collectively called head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and named for the area they affect:

  • Oral cavity: Lips, gums, inside lining of the cheeks and other areas inside of your mouth
  • Pharynx (throat): Includes your tonsils, back of your tongue and your soft palate
  • Larynx (voice box): Holds your vocal cords and your epiglottis, a flap of cartilage at the base of the tongue
  • Nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses: Hollow area inside your nose and small spaces in the bones of your head around your nose
  • Salivary glands: In the lower part of your mouth near your jawbone

Each of these types has its own set of cancer symptoms.  Though head and neck cancers can affect anyone, major risk factors include heavy tobacco and alcohol use, as well as the human papillomavirus (HPV), a type of sexually transmitted disease.

Prevention

Cancer can’t be prevented in all cases, but your risk of cancer can be reduced if you have a healthy lifestyle. Nearly 85 percent of all head and neck cancers are linked to tobacco use, so don’t start smoking. If you already smoke, quit. Learn how by calling the Maine Tobacco Helpline at 1-800-207-1230.

Other things that increase your risk include:

  • Exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Exposure to sun without protection increases risk of lip cancer
  • A diet that’s high in processed meat and low in fruit and vegetables
  • Not treating pre-cancerous growths like leukoplakia or erythroplakia

Detection

The key to treating—and beating—cancer is to catch it early. But like many cancers, cancer of the head and neck may not produce signs or symptoms until it’s already grown and spread to other tissues, making it harder to treat. That’s why some providers recommend that you examine the inside of your mouth in a mirror once a month. If you notice any white patches, sores, or lumps, see your provider. This kind of self-exam is especially important if you smoke – or used to smoke – and routinely drink alcohol.

Screening and Diagnosis

If you’re concerned you may have head and neck cancer, you want answers quickly. At Central Maine Healthcare, we understand not knowing can be the most difficult experience. That’s why we’re focused on providing the expert medical attention you need to get a diagnosis as quickly and accurately as possible.

Screening for Head and Neck Cancer

A screening test is developed to help your provider see if you have cancer before you have any symptoms. Early detection is an important part of treatment and recovery. Unfortunately, for head and neck cancer, there is no routine screening test. The good news is that many pre-cancers and cancers in these areas can be found early (when they’re small) during routine exams by a provider, dentist, dental hygienist, or by self-exam.

Especially if you smoke and regularly consume alcohol, you should do a self-exam once per month to check for any changes inside your mouth. If you notice any lumps, white patches, or sores, see your provider.

At your regular dental check- up, your dentist may use special dyes and/or lights to look for abnormal areas, especially if you are at higher risk for head and neck cancer. If anything looks abnormal, another test will help your dentist decide if these areas might be cancer. They may take a biopsy, which is the process of removing a small bit of the suspicious tissue for further testing.

It’s very important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of head and neck cancer, especially if you are at higher risk for the disease:

  • Swelling or a sore that does not heal
  • Pain in the mouth that doesn’t go away
  • A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth
  • Lump, bump, or mass in the head or neck area, with or without pain
  • Bad breath that’s not explained by hygiene
  • Hoarseness or change in voice
  • Pain or difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving the jaw or tongue
  • A lump or thickening in the cheek
  • Jaw pain
  • Weight loss

Diagnosis of Head and Neck Cancer

During your check-up, your provider will look inside your mouth, nose and throat, and check for lumps in your neck. That’s especially important if you use tobacco or have in the past, or drink regularly.

If your provider finds anything suspicious, you may need additional tests. Common options include:

  • Biopsy: A small piece of tissue is removed and checked for cancer cells.
  • Panendoscopy: A complete exam done in the operating room under anesthesia. The surgeon looks inside your nose, mouth and throat through thin tubes called scopes and may perform biopsies of abnormal tissue.
  • CT scan: A special kind of X-ray that takes detailed pictures to see if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, lungs or other organs.
  • MRI scan: MRIs use radio waves and strong magnets instead of x-rays to take detailed pictures. MRIs can be used to learn more about the size of the cancer and look for other tumors.
  • Barium swallow: X-rays are taken while you swallow a liquid with barium in it. Barium coats the inside surface of the throat and helps get a good picture to see how you swallow.
  • Chest X-rays: Used to see if the cancer has spread to the lungs.
  • PET scan: You are given a special type of sugar that can be seen inside your body with a special camera. If there is cancer, this sugar shows up as “hot spots” where the cancer is found.

If cancer is detected, know that you have Central Maine Healthcare’s most experienced care team in your corner. These specialists will discuss all cancer treatment options with you and create a personalized plan. And you’ll have your own nurse navigator to guide and support you throughout the journey.

Treatment

If you’ve been diagnosed with head and neck cancer, we know how overwhelming that can be. That’s why at Central Maine Healthcare, we combine compassionate care with the most advanced technology available to help you fight cancer with confidence.

Full Range of Head and Neck Cancer Treatments

Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center (CMCCC) offers a comprehensive spectrum of cancer care for patients with cancers of the head and neck. This includes thyroid, salivary glands, nose, mouth, facial, skin and neck tumors or lesions.

Providers at our Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) or Head and Neck Otolaryngology practice specialize in state-of-the-art medical care and surgical options. Our team includes some of the region’s leading cancer specialists: medical and radiation oncologists, surgeons, highly trained nurses, dietitians, social workers and more. Together they will work with you to create the best possible treatment plan.

Your Personalized Treatment Plan

Treatment of head and neck cancer depends on many factors, including the type and stage of the cancer (early or advanced), how treatment will affect the way you talk, breathe or eat, your overall health and your personal feelings about certain treatments and possible side effects.

Your personal treatment plan may include one or a combination of:

Surgery

Surgery may be used to take out the cancer and a margin of healthy tissue around it. In some cases, all or part of the tongue, throat, voice box wind pipe, or jaw bone may need to be removed. Surgery may also be used to take out lymph nodes in the neck which may harbor metastatic cancer. Our team includes a plastic surgeon who offers reconstructive and plastic surgery, following surgical procedures.

Radiation

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays (like x-rays) to shrink or kill cancer cells and help prevent recurrence of the disease. CMCCC uses the most advanced radiation technology available to treat head and neck cancer. Options include:

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT): In EBRT, beams of radiation are focused on the tumor from a machine outside the body called a linear accelerator.

Because head and neck cancers are close to other critical body structures, getting a clear view of the areas during radiation therapy is critical. CMCCC uses the groundbreaking Versa HD accelerator to plan and deliver high-dose radiation with unmatched precision. The result is faster, more effective treatments that minimize the impact on healthy, surrounding areas.

Internal radiation therapy: Also called brachytherapy, this minor outpatient procedure involves implanting tiny radioactive seeds close to the tumor. These seeds, about the size of a grain of rice, remain in place and give off radiation to the tumor site for weeks or months.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is used to kill cancer cells with powerful medicines delivered in varied cycles through either an IV or a pill. It may be used to shrink a tumor before surgery, to kill cancer cells that remain in the body after surgery or radiation, to treat tumors that have developed in other areas or to relieve symptoms when the cancer cannot be cured. Whenever possible, Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center uses newer medications that help maximize results and minimize side effects.

Immunotherapy

Recent FDA-approved drug therapies give people the ability to fight head and neck cancer using the body’s natural defense mechanism: the immune system. Immunotherapy works by making hidden cancer calls visible to the immune system, allowing white blood cells to fight and kill the cancer.

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is a dangerous disease partly because patients rarely show symptoms before their cancer is too advanced to cure. Fortunately though, if it’s caught early, patients usually go on to full recovery. Central Maine Healthcare wants our entire community over the age of 45 to have colonoscopies so we can help stop this disease.

About Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer refers to cancer that begins in the colon or in the rectum. Colon and rectum cancer are grouped together because they have many features in common, like all cancers, colorectal cancer begins when cells in the body begin to grow out of control.

Prevention

While no cancer can truly be prevented, there are important steps you can take to significantly reduce your risk. It’s likely the best way to do this is getting your colonoscopy as soon as you turn 45. This test allows your gastroenterologist to detect pre-cancerous growths early, before they become cancer. These lifestyle changes are also associated with lower risk of colorectal cancer:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Increasing your physical activity
  • Reducing alcohol intake
  • Quitting cigarettes if you smoke
  • Increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet

Detection

Detecting colorectal cancer early is possible through a variety of screening tests. These include visual exams, like a colonoscopy, and stool-based tests, in which a provider checks the stool (feces) for signs of cancer. Stool-based tests are less invasive but must be done more often, usually once a year. A colonoscopy on the other hand is usually needed only once every 10 years.

Treatment

Most polyps do not become cancer, but if you’re diagnosed, rest assured you’re in skilled and caring hands. Our multi-skilled team of gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeon, oncologists, specially trained nurses and support staff will work with you to create a personalized cancer treatment plan.

Extra Support in Your Fight Against Colorectal Cancer

Central Maine Healthcare is devoted to providing the best care for all our cancer patients. In addition to our highly skilled specialists, we offer features designed to give you full support during treatment and recovery. These include navigator nurses specifically dedicated to guiding you to resources that will support you and your family and oncology social workers who offer counseling.

Screening and Diagnosis

We understand no one is eager to get a colonoscopy, but it could save your life! Colorectal cancer is 90% preventable which is why, at Central Maine Healthcare, we’re committed to making the process as easy and convenient as possible so more people will get tested.

What is a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a test to view the inside of the rectum and colon, all of the large bowel and the lower part of the small intestine. This routine exam is usually done as an outpatient procedure and is administered by a trained gastroenterologist or surgeon using a colonoscope. A colonoscope is a long, thin, flexible tube with tiny camera and light on one end that relays information to a video monitor.

Why Get a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a safe and effective way to monitor gastrointestinal (GI) health and to check for diseases of the colon. Currently, a colonoscopy is the best defense against colorectal cancer as the most helpful tool in early detection. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. and is the third most common cancer in both men and women. Early detection through a colonoscopy could save your life.

Polyps are small growths on the inside wall of the rectum or colon that may become cancerous, removal of these during colonoscopy can actually prevent the polyps from becoming cancer. A colonoscopy is also done to find irregularities in the intestines, or to further look for microscopic evidence of disease through a biopsy taken during the procedure or to treat GI issues.

When Should I Get a Colonoscopy?

The American Cancer Society recommends that people at average risk for colorectal cancer begin regular screening at age 45. If you have a family history of colon cancer, screenings should start earlier. Talk to your provider about when to start regular screenings if you have a family history of colon cancer.

Colorectal Cancer Symptoms

You should also ask your provider about a colonoscopy if you’ve experienced any of the following:

  • Blood present in stool
  • Change in bowel habits
  • Prolonged rectal pain
  • Prolonged stomach pain
  • Inflamed colon as determined by a CT (computerized tomography) scan

Additional Colorectal Cancer Screenings 

Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard in colorectal cancer screening, but we also perform other standard tests to help detect polyps and signs of cancer:

  • Fecal Occult Blood Test: This test, recommended annually, looks for blood in the stool. Polyps bleed more than normal tissue and these tiny amounts of blood can be detected by a test called hemocult.
  • Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: This exam, recommended every five years, evaluates the lower section of the colon and rectum, where most polyps and cancers are located.

Treatment

If you’ve been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, we know how worrisome it can be. But the good news is that colorectal cancer is one of the most treatable cancers. Central Maine Healthcare wants to help you by providing all the compassionate care and support you need to fight this disease.

Treatments We Offer

The type of treatment your provider recommends depends largely on the size and stage of the cancer (early or advanced), as well as your overall health, personal preferences and potential side effects. Our team will work with you to create a plan that you’re completely comfortable with and will focus on keeping you feeling well at every step. Your personal treatment plan may include one or a combination of:

Surgery

Surgery to remove the tumor is the most common treatment for colorectal cancer, especially the early stages. Part of the healthy colon or rectum and nearby lymph nodes may also be removed. If the cancer is small and completely contained within a polyp, your provider may be able to completely remove it during the screening colonoscopy which has less complications and faster recovery, with a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure, using just a few small incisions in the abdomen.

If the cancer has grown into or through your colon, you may need a procedure called a colectomy, in which the part of your colon that contains the cancer is removed, along with a margin of normal tissue on either side of the cancer.

Many colostomy can be less often, some people may need a temporary or permanent colostomy after surgery. This is a surgical opening through which the colon is connected to the abdominal surface to allow waste to exit the body. This waste is collected in a pouch worn by the patient. Our specially trained ostomy nurses can help learn how to manage the pouch and make any lifestyle adjustments.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays (like X-rays) to shrink or kill cancer cells and help prevent recurrence of the disease. The rays can be specifically directed at the part of the body where the cancer is located, and are commonly used to treat colorectal cancer because the tumor tends to recur near where it originally started. It can also be combined with chemotherapy to increase effectiveness.

External-beam radiation therapy is another therapy we use at Central Maine Healthcare to fight colorectal cancer. With this treatment, a machine is used to precisely deliver a high dose of radiation to a small area.

For some people, internal radiation therapy may help get rid of areas that have spread to the liver when surgery is not an option. Brachytherapy is an example of this sort of radiation therapy. It uses radioactive “seeds” placed inside the body to treat the cancer.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is used to kill cancer cells with medicines delivered in varied cycles through either an IV or a pill. It may be used to shrink a tumor before surgery, to kill cancer cells that remain in the body after surgery or radiation or to treat tumors that have developed in other areas of the body. Chemotherapy for colorectal cancer is usually given after surgery if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes, which may reduce the risk of a cancer recurrence. For advanced cancer that is no longer curable, chemo be used to help shrink tumors and relieve symptoms.

Targeted Therapy

Typically used for people with advanced colorectal cancer, targeted drug therapy works to block specific genes and proteins that allow cancer cells to grow, while limiting damage to healthy cells.

Immunotherapy

Some patients with advanced colorectal cancer may benefit from immunotherapy, which uses medicines to help a person’s own immune system find and destroy cancer cells.

Central Maine Healthcare Treats the Whole You

We help you in your battle against cancer by providing extra support along the way. Our nurse navigators, for example, guide all our cancer patients through their treatments and direct them to a variety of supportive resources including:

The Arbor House, a hospitality house near the Central Maine Medical Center campus, provides free accommodations for patients traveling a long distance for medical treatments, and for families visiting loved ones who are hospitalized.

Find a Colorectal Specialist Near You

Breast Cancer

One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. But with increased awareness, early detection and innovative new treatments, survival rates continue to rise.

About Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells within the breast. Breast cancer begins in the breast tissue, which is comprised of glands used for milk production (called lobules) and ducts that connect these lobules to the nipple. The remainder of the breast is made up of fatty, connective and lymphatic tissue.

With the exception of skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, and the second leading cause of cancer death, second only to lung cancer. Many breast lumps turn out to be non-cancerous, though a malignant lump can mean that the cancer has already spread beyond the breast. That’s why it’s crucial to get regular breast screenings, so your provider can catch and treat any concerns before they become serious.

Prevention

Whether you have a family history of breast cancer or just want to stay on top of your health, Central Maine Healthcare offers the preventive services and support you need for your peace of mind. Start by understanding your personal breast cancer risk factors, and how you can take control right away. If you have a family history of breast cancer, or other factors that may increase your risk, talk to your provider about further ways to prevent the disease.

Detection

If you’re over 40, getting an annual mammogram is your best weapon against breast cancer. Mammography has proven to be the most effective tool for detecting breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable. Central Maine Healthcare offers all-digital mammography, with crystal-clear images that can be magnified to pinpoint any suspicious areas.

Not all breast problems are cancer, but if you’re diagnosed, our breast cancer experts will be by your side. Our dedicated care team—including gynecologic and radiation oncologists, breast surgeons, specially trained nurses, physical therapists and more—work closely to create a personalized cancer treatment plan. Should you need surgery, we offer a full range of breast procedures, including mastectomy, lumpectomy, breast reconstruction and more to help return you to good health. And you have access to leading breast cancer clinical trials, right here at home.

Screening and Diagnosis

One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. But with increased awareness, early detection and innovative new treatments, survival rates continue to rise.

Treatment

Not all breast problems are cancer, but if you’re diagnosed, our breast cancer experts will be by your side. Our dedicated care team—including gynecologic and radiation oncologists, breast surgeons, specially trained nurses, physical therapists and more—work closely to create a personalized cancer treatment plan. Should you need surgery, we offer a full range of breast procedures, including mastectomy, lumpectomy, breast reconstruction and more to help return you to good health. And you have access to leading breast cancer clinical trials, right here at home.

The Cancer Care Center includes The Sam and Jennie Bennett Breast Care Center, which is a nationally accredited Breast Center of Excellence, in addition to being accredited by several renowned professional healthcare organizations that supervise the quality of cancer care. That means you can find peace of mind, knowing that you’re getting excellent care, without having to travel far from home.

Treatment of breast cancer depends on many factors, including your overall health and wellness, the stage of the cancer (early or advanced), hormone sensitivity of the tumor and your personal feelings around certain treatments and possible side effects. Our goal is to keep you feeling well throughout treatment without major changes to your usual routine.

Your personal treatment plan may include one or a combination of:

Breast Cancer Surgery

Surgery is the most common treatment for early breast cancer. Depending on the stage of the cancer, there are different types of surgery available:

  • Lumpectomy: Removal of the just tumor and some surrounding tissues.
  • Total mastectomy: Removal of the entire affected breast, but no lymph nodes or muscle.
  • Modified radical mastectomy: Removal of the affected breast as well as any lymph nodes under the arm where the cancer has spread.
  • Radical mastectomy: Removal of the affected breast, lymph nodes and the muscle under the breast.
  • Breast reconstruction: One of our skilled plastic surgeons can restore the breast mounds using your own tissue or from other areas of the body, either at the same time or following a mastectomy.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is used to kill cancer cells with medicines delivered in varied cycles through either an IV or a pill. It may be used to shrink a tumor before surgery, to kill cancer cells that remain in the body after surgery or radiation or to treat tumors that have developed in other areas. Whenever possible, Central Maine Healthcare uses newer medications that help minimize the side effects of chemotherapy.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays (like X-rays) to shrink or kill cancer cells and help prevent recurrence of the disease. The rays can be specifically directed at the part of the body where the cancer is located. Treatments are delivered by linear accelerator, where patients lie on a table in a specially designed room.

Hormone Therapy 

Hormone therapy uses medication to block the use of estrogen by the cancer cells, as some types of breast cancer rely on estrogen and/or progesterone to grow. These cells are referred to as “hormone receptor positive” cancer cells. If a tumor is not deemed hormone receptor positive, then hormone therapy is not usually used.

Biological Therapy

Biological therapy works in with the body’s own immune system to help destroy cancer cells or to assist in controlling side effects resulting from other cancer treatments.

Support

Throughout your journey, you’ll find a variety of cancer support services to meet your physical, emotional, spiritual and financial needs. That includes your very own breast cancer nurse navigator to coordinate all of your care, connect you to valuable resources and provide extra comfort and support at every step.

Your Breast Cancer Team

The Cancer Care Center provides a team of support for patients diagnosed with breast cancer. You’ll meet with breast cancer surgeons to discuss the best treatment plans. Our surgeons are one part of your team that also includes radiologists, pathologists, and medical and radiation oncologists. If you choose to have reconstructive surgery following breast surgery, your team will also include CMMC’s plastic surgeons.

All these providers work together, communicating with each other as needed to give you individualized, focused care. Our nurse navigators serve as your advocate and can help you with other parts of the process, like understanding financial and health insurance requirements, the day-to-day impact of treatments, and other needs as they arise.

Bile Duct Cancer

What is Bile Duct Cancer? Your bile ducts are thin tubes that carry bile from the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas into your small intestine to help digest the fats in food. Bile duct cancer happens when cells in the bile ducts divide without stopping and spread into surrounding tissue. Because bile duct cancer occurs deep in the body, it is difficult to detect and there are no screening tests that can find it before it produces symptoms. The good news is that it is very rare, with only 8,000 people per year diagnosed with the disease.

Detection and Diagnosis: Symptoms of bile cancer can include pain in the belly, nausea and vomiting, fever, weakness and dark urine. But experiencing these symptoms does not mean you have the disease – it is quite rare. If you’re concerned about your risk of bile duct cancer, you want a diagnosis or to know the disease has been ruled out quickly. Central Maine Healthcare’s cancer care team is focused on providing fast, accurate testing, along with compassionate care. 

Treatment: Bile duct cancer is usually treated with either surgery or radiation and often with a combination of the two. With surgery, your provider removes as much of the cancer as possible. Sometimes all of it can be removed, curing the cancer. In other cases, the cancer is too advanced, but surgery can be done to remove as much as possible in order to relieve symptoms or treat complications.

The other form of treatment is radiation, which uses high-energy rays or particles to kill cancer cells. This approach allows your provider to try to eliminate cancer that could not be safely removed during surgery. If the cancer can’t be operated on but hasn’t spread to other parts of the body, radiation helps control the disease.

Support: Central Maine Healthcare’s cancer care team includes nurses specially trained for treating cancer patients, nurse navigators who guide patients and their loved ones to a variety of supportive resources, and oncology social workers who help you balance the demands of battling cancer with the rest of your life. Our residential facility, Arbor House, offers patients and families bedrooms, apartments, laundry facilities and a dining room all on the Central Maine Medical Center campus.

Screening for Bile Duct Cancer: Your bile ducts are deep inside your liver and gall bladder so detecting cancer in these areas during a physical exam is very difficult. And so far there are no reliable blood tests or other tests that can help providers discover the disease in its early stages. Usually, bile duct cancer is discovered after tumors have grown large enough to create symptoms. One of the most common is jaundice, a yellowing of the eyes and skin, that’s caused by a blocked duct. Other symptoms of bile duct cancer include:

  • Pain in your belly or sides, which can come from fluid buildup
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite/weight loss
  • Weakness
  • Itching
  • Light-colored stools
  • Dark urine

It’s important to note that bile duct cancer is quite rare – only about 8,000 people per year are diagnosed with the disease – so if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s not likely you have bile duct cancer.

Diagnosis of Bile Duct Cancer: Your provider will use a combination of methods to diagnose your condition, including:

  • Physical exam
  • Blood tests – blood is drawn from your body with a needle and examined in a lab
  • Endoscope ERCP spy glass cholangioscopy
  • Ultrasound – a pain-free imaging tool that uses soundwaves
  • CT scan – which uses powerful x-rays to make an image of the inside of your abdomen
  • MRI – image created by high powered magnets that a radiologist uses to detect tumors
  • Endoscopy – endoscope cable with a camera lets your provider see inside your body without surgery or be used to inject dye into bile ducts, which are x-rayed in a test referred to as ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography).
  • Laparoscopy – once sedated, your provider inserts a thin tube through an incision with a small video camera so they can see if – and how far – the cancer has spread.

Treating Bile Duct Cancer: Bile duct cancer is usually treated with surgery, radiation or some mix of the two. Your cancer care team will develop a treatment plan based on how advanced the cancer is, whether tests indicate it can be surgically removed, how well your liver is functioning, your age and general health condition, and a host of other factors.

Surgery for Bile Duct Cancer: Because bile duct cancer is difficult to detect, it’s usually only discovered after surgery could cure the cancer. If imaging tests or surgeries indicate the cancer has been caught early, a surgeon may be able to remove all the cancer, plus a margin of healthy tissue around it. This is referred to as curative surgery because it usually cures the cancer.

In most other cases, the cancer is too advanced or is in a spot where surgery to completely remove the cancer would be very risky for the patient. In these situations, your provider may consider palliative surgery, which means the procedure is done to relieve symptoms or treat complications, rather than cure the disease. Both curative and palliative surgeries are major operations that can require long recovery times, so you should be sure you’re well informed about the goals of the surgery, its risks and potential side effects.

Palliative endoscopy is often done to unblock a bile duct which can relieve jaundice or itching that is common with bile duct cancer. While it can help the patient feel better, it is not done to eliminate or cure the cancer. In some cases, a surgeon will rely on the best information available – which may come from imaging tests and/or exploratory surgeries like laparoscopy – to plan a curative surgery but realize when the surgery begins that the cancer is too advanced or widespread to be cured. At this point, they may decide to take palliative measures.

Radiation therapy for bile duct cancer isn’t common and providers disagree about how helpful it is. But your provider may decide in your case that its benefits outweigh its costs, which can include side effects like skin redness and blistering, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fatigue. There are two main types of radiation therapy for bile duct cancer:

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) – uses high-energy rays aimed directly at the tumor to kill cancer cells. EBRT is the most commonly used radiation therapy for bile duct cancer

Brachytherapy – is also known as “internal radiation therapy.” A radiologist places small pellets of radioactive material next to or into the tumor. Since the source of the radiation is so close, it affects the cancer without causing much harm to nearby healthy tissue.

RFA Endoscopic Treatment – CMMC offers these treatments at the Cancer Care Center, which has state-of-the-art radiation therapy services, including EBRT and brachytherapy.

Chemotherapy for Bile Duct Cancer: the use of medical drugs to treat cancer. Also known as medical oncology, it involves giving these drugs in the vein (IV) or taking them by mouth. Since they go directly into the bloodstream, they reach all areas of the body. Like radiation therapy, providers may not agree on whether chemotherapy is helpful for bile duct cancer. Still, your provider may decide it is useful for your case. Chemotherapy may be used in one or a combination of several ways to treat bile duct cancer:

  • To shrink tumors before surgery to make them smaller and easier to remove
  • To lessen the odds that cancer will return after surgery has removed the tumors
  • To help people whose cancer can’t be operated on to live longer
  • To slow the growth of or reduce the size of tumors that are creating painful symptoms by pressing on nerves.

The Cancer Care Center at Central Maine Medical Center offers our cancer patients who need medical oncologists the services of Hematology-Oncology Associates practice, which is committed to offering the most current, individualized, compassionate and convenient care for cancer patients and their families.

Cancers We Treat

At Central Maine Healthcare, our cancer care experts specialize in the prevention, early detection and treatment of a wide range of cancers, from the common to the complex.

We understand that no two cancers – and no two people – are the same. Our care focuses on your individual needs—physical, emotional and spiritual.

At every step, you’ll have our dedicated cancer care team by your side, including some of central Maine’s leading medical oncologists, hematologists, cancer surgeons, specially trained nurses and more. These specialists will work closely together and with you to create a personalized plan to wellness and are always available to provide compassionate care for you and your loved ones.

We offer a full range of cancer support services for the whole family, including one-on-one counseling with LCSW’s, dietitians, and therapists, plus ongoing support groups and wellness resources.

Exceptional Cancer Care, Close to Home

Providers, nurses, and all team members at Central Maine Medical Center, Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital take pride in bringing high-quality, personalized care to our communities in central, western and mid-coast Maine.

Oncology Clinics Convenient to You

Both Bridgton Hospital, Rumford Hospital and the Topsham Clinic offer oncology services, including medical oncologists, Infusion, and an oncologist always on-call on weekends.

Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center

Central Maine Medical Center has been recognized one of America’s Best Hospitals for Cancer Care by the Women’s Choice Award and accredited by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Program and the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, so you can have peace of mind about the care you receive.

A to Z Search for Services

Central Maine Healthcare covers all of your physical and mental health needs.
Click on a service below to learn more about what we offer and where to find care near you.

  • Addiction Services

    We are committed to understanding and serving people who are living with addiction. We provide compassionate trauma-informed care based on best practi… Learn More >

  • Bariatric Surgery

    Central Maine Bariatric Surgery understands how important weight loss is for patients. We have been established since 2007 and have a team ready to su… Learn More >

  • Breast Health

    When it comes to caring for your breast health, Central Maine Healthcare offers a spectrum of services to help screen, diagnose, and treat. From the m… Learn More >

  • Cancer care

    The Cancer Care Center at Central Maine Medical Center is an integrated, multi-disciplinary program that combines a full spectrum of services and med… Learn More >

  • Cardiovascular services

    Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute (CMHVI) brings skilled medical specialists and innovative treatments to the people of central Maine and bey… Learn More >

  • Diabetes and Endocrinology

    Diabetes and other endocrine-system conditions are complex, and when you’ve been diagnosed with one, it’s hard to know what to do next. Learn More >

  • Ear, Nose and Throat

    At Central Maine Healthcare, our board-certified ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists understand how this connected system works and can identify th… Learn More >

  • Emergency Care

    If you’re experiencing a life-threatening emergency, dial 9-1-1 immediately or go to your nearest ER. Emergencies happen when you least expect them,… Learn More >

  • Gastroenterology

    Your digestive system involves so many parts of the body – your throat, stomach, intestines, colon, rectum, pancreas, gallbladder and liver. So, whe… Learn More >

  • Imaging Services

    Welcome to Central Maine Medical Center Imaging Services. We take pride in providing our community with technologically advanced, up-to-date imaging s… Learn More >

  • Integrative Medicine

    At Central Maine Healthcare, we’re focused on the whole you — mind, body and spirit. That’s why we specialize in integrative medicine, with a va… Learn More >

  • Laboratory Services

    Central Maine Healthcare offers lab services at convenient locations for tests as part of your routine appointment or for screening of specific condit… Learn More >

  • Long-Term Care

    At Central Maine Healthcare, our long-term care feels exactly like home. We believe in taking complete care of you or your loved one’s physical, med… Learn More >

  • Neurology

    Central Maine Healthcare's neurologists and other doctors are specialists in epilepsy, movement disorders and other neurological disorders. Learn More >

  • Nutrition Services

    Clinical Nutrition A Registered Dietitian (RD) is a “food and nutrition expert” who has completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree ... <a class… Learn More >

  • Orthopedic care

    The Orthopedic Institute of Central Maine (OICM) serves the people of Central, Western and Midcoast Maine. OICM works collaboratively with our outpati… Learn More >

  • Palliative Care

    Central Maine Healthcare's palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing reli… Learn More >

  • Pediatrics

    CMH’s kid-friendly team members and ambience — as well as our kid-sized examination tables and tools — instantly put children at ease. And we fi… Learn More >

  • Pharmacy

    The CMMC Pharmacy is open to the public and accepts all major insurance plans. As part of your healthcare team, let our pharmacy assist you with manag… Learn More >

  • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

    Plastic and reconstructive surgery is a personal choice, and a personal journey. At Central Maine Healthcare, our double-board certified physician a… Learn More >

  • Primary Care

    At Central Maine Healthcare, we make primary care easy and accessible to community members like you. We believe in providing compassionate, quality ca… Learn More >

  • Pulmonary

    At Central Maine Healthcare we provide diagnosis and treatment to our patients as well as education to both the patient and family. Learn More >

  • Rehabilitation and Therapy

    Whether you have suffered an injury at work or on the field, are recovering from surgery or just want to better manage pain, the Orthopedic Institute… Learn More >

  • Rheumatology

    Rheumatology is the study and treatment of rheumatic disorders, a wide range of conditions affecting the joints and connective tissue and typically ca… Learn More >

  • Sleep Medicine

    At Central Maine Healthcare, we know what a peaceful night’s sleep means for your health and life. Our board-certified sleep medicine specialist and… Learn More >

  • Surgical services

    Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute (CMHVI) brings skilled medical specialists and innovative treatments to the people of central Maine and bey… Learn More >

  • Telehealth Services

    Central Maine Healthcare now offers telehealth services, bringing you the care you need when you’re unable to leave home. Online and telephone visit… Learn More >

  • Trauma Center

    We offer three ERs right in the communities we serve – each staffed 24/7 with board-certified emergency providers and specialty trained team members… Learn More >

  • Urology

    Using the latest and most advanced screening technology allows our medical team to scan with amazing detail. This allows us to more accurately detect… Learn More >

  • Women’s and children’s health

    Women of all ages have unique health and medical needs, which is why Central Maine Healthcare has spent decades building services, treatment, educatio… Learn More >

  • Wound Care

    Central Maine Medical Center’s Comprehensive Wound Center is a centralized location for all aspects of wound care. Our team of specialists provides… Learn More >

Central Maine Medical Center

Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) in Lewiston is the flagship facility of Central Maine Healthcare. CMMC is a 250-bed, not-for-profit, Level III Trauma Center, offering comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services to the people of central Maine. CMMC provides 24-hour emergency care, a state-of-the-art Cancer Care Center, an award-winning stroke center and extensive specialized care. CMMC is also the southern Maine base for LifeFlight of Maine, the state’s only medical helicopter service.

300 Main Street
Lewiston, ME 04240
Main: (207) 795-0111
Emergency: (207) 795-2200
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