Annual Report 2017

Preface

 Since its establishment in 1962, we, the National Cancer Center Hospital (NCCH), have worked to realize a world where people do not have cancer ever, can surmount cancer even if they have cancer, and cancer patients can live with a peaceful mind. The NCCH has cooperated with patients and the society to realize our vision. The NCCH has not only provided the best medical treatment and functioned as a hub hospital for cancer therapy in Japan, but has also been committing high-quality clinical research to establish a more effective and safer brand-new-medicine.

 In this century, both society and medicine are greatly and rapidly changing. We, the NCCH, have made the vision paper, where our vision is "as a flag-ship hospital, the NCCH provides the best medical treatment for each cancer patient". Our objectives include; 1. To provide advanced treatment and care for individual cancer patients efficiently and integrally, 2. To lead the development of brand-new-

medicines, 3. To function as a hub hospital for cancer therapy in Japan, 4. To foster talented staff leading domestic and overseas medicine. We have devised a six-year-plan and have created the 10 working teams to conduct the following NCCH projects: to specialize for advanced cancer care including acute cancer care and short hospital stay; to strengthen outpatient clinic by increasing the number of day surgery and outpatient chemotherapy; to intensify surgical treatment; to enhance the support system for cancer patients; to cooperate and collaborate with other medical hospitals; to enhance clinical outcomes and efficient back-office work using IT technologies; to promote and realize precision medicine for cancer patients; to make significant contributions to pediatric cancer patients and AYA generation; to train personnel who lead the medicine; to enhance clinical research support; and finally to keep the sustainable management system.

 In April 2018, the NCCH is to establish the Department of Head and Neck Medical Oncology so that it can work with the Department of Head and Neck Surgery (as of March 2018: Department of Head and Neck Oncology) and the Department of Radiation Oncology. These three groups are to cooperate to provide the best treatment for patients with head and neck cancer. In February 2018, the NCCH created a special ward for pediatric and AYA patients to provide better medical care for these generations. To facilitate regional alliance with local hospitals, the NCCH established the center for physician referral and medical social support and exchanged a comprehensive agreement with the Japan Community Health care Organization (JCHO).

 To support clinical research and cope with the Clinical Trials Act to be enforced April 2018, we have developed several systems including the National Cancer Center Hospital Certified Review Board, which was finally approved in March 2018. Although we have now conducted more than 300 sponsor-initiated clinical trials, the NCCH has established the Tsukiji-TR board with the NCC Research Institute to facilitate clinical trials and translational research. In the rare cancer field, there are many unmet medical needs. We have started the "MASTER KEY Project", a registry study of rare cancer and rare fractions combined with basket and umbrella trials, in May 2017. Finally, the NCCH was appointed as a Designated Core Hospitals for Cancer Genomic Medicine, which is one of the key frameworks providing precision medicine for cancer patients in Japan.

 During this fiscal year, we have been building a sustainable infrastructure to create our vision. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in cancer.

Toshirou Nishida, M.D., Ph.D.
Director of the Hospital
National Cancer Center Hospital