Prostate/Genitourinary Cancer Program
Genitourinary cancer, also called GU cancer, refers to cancers in the parts of the body that play a role in reproduction, getting rid of waste products in the form of urine, or both. GU cancers include prostate cancer, one of the most common cancers diagnosed at Maine Medical Center Cancer Institute.
Types of cancer treated in the Genitourinary Cancer Program include:
- Prostate cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney (renal cell) cancer
- Adrenal tumors
- Testicular cancer
- Penile cancer
- Urethral cancer
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Our Approach
The MMC Cancer Institute's Genitourinary Cancer Program provides multidisciplinary, subspecialty care in the diagnosis and treatment of genitourinary cancer to some of the largest patient volumes in all of New England. The program is one of the most advanced and comprehensive programs of its kind in the nation.The Genitourinary Cancer Program brings together its specialists in medical oncology, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation to discuss their patients’ cases and plan the best care for them. The experts also discuss quality improvement measures designed to improve future care.
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Comprehensive Treatment Options
MMC Cancer Institute's Genitourinary Cancer Program offers the region's most comprehensive array of treatment resources:
Medical Oncology
Therapeutic options include chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and immunotherapy, as well as vaccine-based and new targeted biological therapies. In addition, patients have access to promising new drug options by participating in our clinical trials.
Surgery
Surgical options include nerve-sparing procedures for prostate, testicular and bladder cancers; laparoscopy for kidney cancer; and state-of-the-art lower urinary tract reconstruction and organ-sparing approaches for bladder cancer.
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Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy with five surgeons trained in robotics
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Laparoscopic nephrectomy
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Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy
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High-risk nephrectomy with cardiopulmonary (CP) bypass
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Robot-assisted radical cystectomy
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Neobladder reconstruction
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Cryosurgery for prostate and kidney cancers
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Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for testicular cancer
Radiation Oncology
Our American College of Radiology (ACR)-accredited program (the only one in Maine) offers comprehensive and advanced therapeutic options:
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Patient and Family Support and Education Resources
The MMC Cancer Institute offers comprehensive educational and supportive resources to ensure that patients diagnosed with GU cancer and families have the care, guidance and support they need throughout their cancer journey, including:
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A full-time Genitourinary Clinical Patient Navigator to help patients understand their diagnosis and treatment options and facilitate the decision-making process regarding which treatment to undergo
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Access to support groups to address the concerns of patients, families and caregivers dealing with prostate cancer at the Cancer Community Center
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Pain management and palliative care
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Genetic testing and counseling
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Nutrition counseling
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Licensed social workers to help link patients with appropriate programs and resources
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National Recognition
Our Prostate Cancer Program was recognized as one of five model prostate cancer programs nationally by the Association of Community Cancer Centers. This designation reflects the success of the program's strong commitment to developing an individualized care program for each patient diagnosed with prostate cancer, coordinating prostate cancer care through Maine's first and only Genitourinary Cancer Clinical Patient Navigator service, and providing the most comprehensive and advanced treatment options available. Read more about our recognitions.
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Report of Our Outcomes
Maine Medical Center's ongoing commitment to the collection and reporting of prostate cancer clinical outcomes data reinforces its unique role both as a community hospital and a regional referral center requiring an unprecedented depth and breadth of services. The Genitourinary Cancer Program at MMC's Cancer Institute consistently demonstrates clinical outcomes that are reliably excellent. Displaying its commitment to evidence-based, high quality care, the MMCCI Prostate Cancer Program published the first edition of its Prostate Cancer Quality Report on Clinical Outcomes. This edition provides a review of our current Prostate Cancer Program and related services, and highlights clinical outcomes data which can serve as a resource for physicians and their patients. Read more about our Quality and Outcomes.
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Why Choose Our Genitourinary Cancer Program
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Close-to-home access to one of the most advanced and comprehensive programs of its kind with a level of subspecialty care that is unrivaled in northern New England
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A truly multidisciplinary approach to care, with radiation oncology, surgical urology and medical oncology
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A twice-monthly genitourinary tumor conference that brings together all the appropriate specialists to help determine the optimal course of treatment
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Access to a Clinical Patient Navigator for GU cancers to help patients understand their diagnosis and treatment options, and make the most informed and timely treatment decisions possible
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A full complement of the most advanced medical, surgical and radiation therapy options currently available
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A robust database for tracking patient outcomes and continually monitoring and improving the quality of care provided
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Clinical outcomes that are consistently excellent compared to national benchmarks
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