Memorial Cancer Center Brings Advanced Radiation Technology to SWLA

Lake Charles Memorial Hospital’s Cancer Center has long been a trusted leader in cancer care for southwest Louisiana, providing patients access to the same caliber of expertise and technology found in major cancer centers across the country. Now, the Cancer Center is expanding those capabilities with the launch of the Varian Edge Linear Accelerator, a state-of-the-art radio surgical system designed to treat cancer with precision.

The Varian Edge Linear Accelerator is the first of its kind in Louisiana. It delivers radiation therapy with millimeter accuracy, allowing physicians to target tumors while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. For patients, this advancement can mean fewer treatments, fewer side effects, and improved outcomes—especially for cancers in delicate areas like the brain, spine, or lungs. What once required traveling hours away is now available right here in Lake Charles.

For James Maze, MD, who has led Memorial’s radiation oncology department since 1995, the addition of the Varian Edge is about more than technology, it’s about honoring the promise at the heart of medicine.

Cancer treatments can be physically and emotionally demanding, requiring the care team to be in tune with the patient’s need. “Radiation oncology is about striking that balance: treating cancer aggressively while protecting quality of life,” reflects Dr. Maze.

Dr. Maze says patients at Memorial can expect more than advanced therapies. They’ll also find a team committed to walking beside them through the entire journey. “In addition to therapy, we teach our patients about their disease, what to expect, and guide them on the path to healing,” he explains.

Even after nearly three decades in practice, the moments that stay with Dr. Maze are the human ones. “Cancer care is never just about the disease, it’s about the person,” he says. “Some days are hard, but then you see a patient ring the bell after finishing treatment, and you know you’ve made a difference.”

With the introduction of the Varian Edge Linear Accelerator, Lake Charles Memorial Cancer Center continues to fight cancer with the same philosophy that has guided its work for decades: combining advanced treatment with the compassion that patients and families deserve.

To learn more about Dr. Maze, click here.

To explore more about Memorial's Cancer Care Center, click here.