Dr. Richard E. Royal

Doctor Overview

Dr. Richard E. Royal is a general surgeon and surgical oncologist at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center (MHMMC) in Portland, Maine. He has decades of experience treating complex cancers, with a focus on rare tumors and peritoneal diseases, like mesothelioma.

Dr. Royal is an expert in targeted therapies delivered directly to the abdomen, like heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). His care emphasizes precision and patient-centered planning to help people access advanced treatment options in Maine.

Before joining MHMMC, Dr. Royal worked at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he was a tenured professor of surgery. He also held a senior investigator role at the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Royal has contributed to cancer research and medical literature. He has written peer-reviewed studies on topics such as peritoneal mesothelioma and immunotherapy.

Doctor Fast Facts

Main Specialty: Surgical Oncology

Other Interests & Specialties: HIPEC, immunotherapy, interdisciplinary care, limb perfusion, liver perfusion, melanoma, pancreatic cancer, peritoneal disease, peritoneal mesothelioma, peritoneal surface malignancies, rare GI tumors, regional cancer therapies and skin cancers.

Certifications, Awards & Accolades: American Board of Surgery Certification, American College of Surgeons Fellow, MD Anderson Excellence in Science Awardee (2022), MD Anderson Most Compassionate Doctor Award (2012 – 2013, 2015, 2017 – 2018), MD Anderson Patients' Choice Award (2012 – 2018), MD Anderson Top Performer Award (2017 – 2019)

Education & Experience:

• Medical Degree from Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine
• Residency in General Surgery at Wellspan Health/York Hospital
• Fellowship in Allergy and Immunology at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
• Fellowship in Surgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center
• Residency in Surgery at the University of Maryland
• Fellowship in Complex General Surgical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Publications

Repeat cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for recurrent mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinoma: a viable treatment strategy with demonstrable benefit. Ann Surg Oncol. 2024 Jan;31(1):614–21.

Efficacy, safety, and biomarker analysis of combined pd-l1 (Atezolizumab) and vegf (Bevacizumab) blockade in advanced malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Cancer Discov. 2021 Nov;11(11):2738–47.

Malignant mesothelioma of the peritoneum in women: a clinicopathologic study of 164 cases. Am J Surg Pathol. 2021 Jan;45(1):45–58.

The Chicago Consensus on peritoneal surface malignancies: Management of peritoneal mesothelioma. Cancer. 2020 June 1;126(11):2547–52.