Cancers We Treat
Deidra’s story
Deidra received a grim diagnosis in February of 2022: triple negative breast cancer. Since then, she’s undergone chemotherapy and a double mastectomy. Deidra sought treatment at the Cancer Care Center at CMMC, and she was overwhelmed by the care team’s compassion and dedication to her health.
Hector Tarraza, MD, chief of the Oncology Institute, says that before the Center opened in 2022, it was challenging for patients to navigate their way around multiple cancer care locations.
“Now, everything is under one roof and very patient-centered,” says Dr. Tarraza. “We have surgical oncology, radiation oncology and an infusion center all in one building. It was designed to be open, spacious and healing. We want anyone in central Maine who faces a cancer diagnosis to know we’re here for them. When they come to the Cancer Care Center, they’re going to receive state-of-the-art care, and they don’t have to travel far to get it.”
Deidra recently finished a series of treatments at the Center and now follows a routine schedule of maintenance appointments. She’s also living her life to the fullest.
“There is no such thing as putting things off,” she says. “It’s about living in the moment. We’ve taken some amazing family trips, and we’re building a beautiful backyard patio. These are things my husband and I would never have even considered before I was diagnosed. I wish everyone could have this perspective without going through the hard stuff.”
Cancer Care Center
The Cancer Care Center in Lewiston, established in 2024, provides comprehensive cancer care services all in one place. Featuring a multidisciplinary team of oncology professionals, the center cares for patients from their diagnosis through treatment. The center’s new facility offers state-of-the-art technology with two onsite linear accelerators for radiation oncology, an infusion center and a comforting, healing environment.
Healing Environment Inspired Design
The Cancer Care Center was thoughtfully designed to incorporate the landscape in and around Lewiston. Local mills and factories, features of the region’s proud heritage, played a crucial part in the design concept. The interior architecture and layout was inspired by the work and research being conducted in DNA research and how it relates to cancer care. Using natural light, sustainable features, growing plants and open space to allow for the best possible healing environment.
Linear Accelerators and Radiation Therapy
This center has two state-of-the-art Varian TrueBeam Linear Accelerators for the radiation oncology department. A medical linear accelerator (LINAC) is the device most commonly used for radiation treatments for patients with cancer. It delivers high-energy x-rays or electrons to the region of the patient’s tumor. Using this advanced technology, these treatments can be delivered in such a way that they destroy the cancer cells while sparing the surrounding normal tissue.
More than half of U.S. cancer patients receive radiation therapy — and many of these treatments wouldn’t be possible without a machine called a linear accelerator (LINAC). A linear accelerator, also referred to as LINAC, is a machine that aims radiation at cancer tumors with pinpoint accuracy, sparing nearby healthy tissue. It’s used to deliver several types of external beam radiation therapy.
LINACs send radiation, such as x-rays or electron beams, through the body and into cancer tumors. Today’s LINACs are equipped with 3D image guidance like CT scanning to accurately target tumors. Special software then matches radiation beams to unique tumor sizes and shapes. This customized approach makes external beam radiation therapy safe and precise for cancer treatment.
Infusion Suites
Our infusion suites are designed to provide the most comfortable and calming setting for our patients who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment. The Suites are designed with natural light, private entertainment screens, comfortable seating and, most importantly, the dedicated attention of our nursing team with a large nursing station located within the same room.
Onsite Lab
Patients can conveniently access any of the variety of laboratory tests are needed for navigating cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment. Lab tests also may be used to screen high-risk patients, pinpoint the stage of cancer, identify treatment options and evaluate whether the cancer is responding to treatment.
Onsite Pharmacy
The pharmacy team at the Cancer Care Center understands that cancer is a complex disease, and that oncology medications play a key role in fighting it. Our onsite oncology pharmacy provides quality care in several ways and CMMC Cancer Center pharmacists guide patients through the process to educate patients and their caregiver, helping them understand medications and manage side effects.
Cancer Care
“A defining feature of everyone who works here is they have a passion for the care of patients with cancer. From the front office, nurses , pharmacy, radiation colleagues, people would not be in here if they did not feel connected to the mission for care” – Hector Tarraza, MD, Chief of the Central Maine Healthcare Oncology Institute
With thoughtful design, Central Maine Healthcare’s oncology team will now be assembled under one roof—fully embracing the patient on their journey from diagnosis to wellness and all the challenging steps in between.
The Cancer Care Center at Central Maine Medical Center is an integrated, multi-disciplinary program that combines a full spectrum of services and medical specialists to diagnose and treat cancer all in one center. Some of the best minds in cancer care work together, using advanced technology, to give people with cancer the best options for treatment and recovery.
We’re proud of the numerous certifications and awards we have received from national organizations recognizing our commitment to cancer patients’ experience and the quality of their care. Among others, we are accredited by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer.
As a community hospital comprehensive care program, we must also meet high standards including a team approach to care coordination, access to prevention and early detection programs, cancer education, and support services. We also share and receive valuable data through our participation in the National Cancer Database.
Meet our providers
Deidra’s story
“I would not have chosen to go through what I’ve been through, but now that I have, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. My whole perspective on life has changed. The staff at the Cancer Care Center was the best. I just love everybody there.” Read More…
Why Choose Us
Every day, Central Maine Healthcare helps patients throughout our community bring their best to the battle against cancer. Here are just a few of the ways we’re bringing hope and healing to our communities:
Everybody Working Together to Beat Cancer
At Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center (CMCCC), all the treatment you need is together under one roof: surgery, radiation and medical oncology. That’s not only convenient for you but it allows us to easily unify our efforts. Our doctors, specialists, and nurses – plus social workers, dietitians, rehabilitation therapists and more – all work near each other and closely together to consider and regularly discuss the treatment plan that will produce the best possible results for each patient.
Commitment to Patients
Many of our nurses and therapists have been working with Central Maine Healthcare for 15 – 20 years, showing great dedication to their patients and devotion to the central Maine community.
Fast Diagnosis, Quick Path to Treatment
Our onsite labs allow us to make fast, accurate diagnoses. And if you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, we understand you want to start treatment as soon as possible. Our radiation therapy group is set up to get you in quickly, so you can begin on the road to better health.
Infusion Centers Throughout Central Maine
Whether you’re near Central Maine Medical Center, Bridgton Hospital or Rumford Hospital, you’re close to one of our dedicated infusion centers. That means you can receive cancer treatment close to home.
CMCCC is Fully Accredited and Often Awarded
We’ve been accredited by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Program and the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC).
Friendly, Compassionate Care
We’re proud of the sense of family our caregivers feel at CMCC. You’re not just a number on a medical chart. We know your name and make a point of getting to know you and your family. We believe it’s the best way to provide a comfortable, healing environment that allows excellent care.
Diagnosis: Cancer Care
If you’re concerned you may have cancer, you want answers as soon as possible. At Central Maine Healthcare, our doctors will see you quickly, answer all your questions and strive to get you a fast and accurate diagnosis.
How is Cancer Diagnosed?
Sometimes an infection can be the cause of many of the same symptoms cancer produces. That’s why your doctor will need to conduct multiple tests to accurately diagnose your condition. Diagnosis starts with your doctor giving you a physical exam and finding out about your family history. Based on what she finds, she’ll discuss next steps with you and explain the tests she thinks are needed. These may include any of the following:
Imaging Tests
Imaging procedures are painless and are often the first step in determining a patient’s condition. Central Maine Healthcare’s partnership with Shields Health Care allows us to offer a variety of imaging services including x-rays, PET scans, CT scans, and MRI. We feature some of the best MRI technology in the region, with the open-bore MRI scanner at Central Maine Medical Center providing extra space for maximum patient comfort and sharp clarity for more accurate diagnoses. Our mobile open bore MRI allows us to provide this same comfort and accuracy at our critical access hospitals, Rumford Hospital and Bridgton Hospital.
Lab Tests
Cancer often produces what doctors call markers. These chemicals found in the blood give clues about whether cancer is present and what type it may be. Your doctor may take a sample of tissue from the area she’s concerned about (called a biopsy) and send it to Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center’s pathology lab. There, specially trained doctors called pathologists will study the sample and look for cancer markers.
Endoscopic Exams
With this exam, a scope (a camera attached to a flexible tube) is inserted into an opening in your body. It allows your doctor to see your organs and look for evidence of cancer. She may use the scope to also take a sample of the tissue (called a biopsy) for examination under a microscope in the pathology laboratory.
Genetic Tests
Your doctor may want to learn more about the genes in your DNA. Some of these genes may provide further clues to the type of cancer you may have and how best to treat it. At Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center, we offer genetic testing and counseling to help you understand the test and what its results may mean for you.
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
Doctors, nurses, and all care providers 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.