Annual Report 2020
Department of Gynecology
Hiroshi Tanabe, Kouta Yokosu, Keiko Kamoshita, Shin Takenaka
Practice/Research Activities
Three years have passed since becoming a full-time system in April 2018. The number of surgeries performed has gradually increased (Table 1) and an increasing number of patients have registered for clinical trials and studies. In particular, with regard to debulking surgery for advanced ovarian cancer and primary peritoneal cancer, we have been adopting total parietal peritonectomy in cooperation with the Colorectal Surgery Department and Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Department. Starting in August of 2020, robot-assisted surgeries have been performed for early stage endometrial cancer. In June 2020, a specialized outpatient clinic for Oncofertility opened at the Lady’s Center of Hospital East. The clinic provides counsel and support mainly for Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA-generation) patients who wish to preserve fertility. With the cooperation of several departments, patients are able to freeze embryos before and after cancer therapy.
In addition, risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) became covered by insurance in 2020, and it is also operable at our hospital.
Table 1.Total number of gynecological surgeries in 2020
Research Results
Our staff, Dr. Tanabe is the principal investigator in the specified clinical trial JGOG3020, titled “Randomized Phase III Trial of the need for adjuvant chemotherapy in stage I epithelial ovarian cancer after comprehensive staging surgery”, conducted by the NPO, Japanese Gynecologic Oncology Group (JGOG). The institution has been approved to become a new observer institution of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG), and is now preparing to register and participate in future JCOG clinical trials.
Training/Education
We provide guidance and education for staff doctors who aim to specialize in gynecologic malignancies by providing surgery and clinical study procedures. We are preparing to start a residency program in 2021.
Future Prospects
Focusing on global clinical trials as well as trials conducted by JCOG and JGOG, we will aggressively register for clinical studies and trials of gynecologic malignancy, with the aim of becoming a research center that establishes new findings. To expand curative surgery for advanced ovarian cancer, we are planning a clinical trial to establish the safety of invasive surgical procedures and good prognosis.