Annual Report 2023
Preface
Under the vision of providing the best possible cancer treatment and care through a committed partnership with the community, the National Cancer Center Hospital (NCCH) Japan has functioned as a hub hospital for cancer therapy in Japan, provided the optimal medical treatment for each patient with cancer, and undertaken high-quality clinical research to discover more effective, safer, brand-new medicines or medical devices ever since its establishment in 1962. Today, one in two citizens develops cancer, which is a challenging illness to overcome. We shall continue to meet the high demand for first-rate treatments, for cancers of all organs. In 2022, the Tokyo metropolitan government also requested special-function hospitals to hospitalize COVID-19 patients. In FY2023, COVID-19 infections were classified from Category 2 to Category 5 in May, and although the settlement of the battle for more than three years was on the horizon, the operation of the dedicated ward at our hospital ended on May 20, 2024. Since then, sporadic outbreaks have been acknowledged, but in principle, they are handled by the ward where the outbreak occurred.
International practice was positioned as one of the important activities of the NCCH under the unified vision, and the Department of International Medical and Advanced Care was established in October 2023. The number of new foreign patients treated from April 2023 to March 2024 was 156, the highest number ever. The hospital plans to hire dedicated staff (one full-time and two part-time) for the department to reduce the burden on hospital staff to treat foreign patients and to handle exclusive appointment services from medical coordination companies.
In order to respond to the diversification of cancer treatment development, the Department of Clinical Development Promotion was newly established in April 2023 with the goal of promoting and strengthening drug development, TR research, and medical device development. It consists of three divisions: Division of Drug and Diagnostic Development Promotion, Division of Translational Research Promotion, and Division of Medical Device Innovation Promotion. Division of Drug and Diagnostic Development Promotion: Planning and progress management of cross-organ research and clinical research conducted at the National Cancer Center Hospital, which mainly consists of members of medical departments and pharmacy departments, aims to conduct research/trials smoothly. Division of Translational Research Promotion consists of three sections: Translational Research Collaboration Support Section, Translational Research Specimen Control Section, and Translational Research Promotion Section, each of which is composed of one director and five members. Division of Medical Device Innovation Promotion: Based on the development of medical devices in conjunction with MIRAI project, aims to develop world-class minimally invasive treatment methods and medical devices by introducing AI and Robotic technology.
Main clinical results in 2023 were as follows. (parentheses; 2022)
Inpatient number per day: 507.7 (494.3)
Average length of hospital stay: 9.4 days (9.7)
Outpatient number per day: 1,549 (1,572)
Number of outpatient care per day: 205.7 (208.8)
Number of outpatients in clinical trials per day: 59.1 (57.9)
Number of operations per year: 5,642 (5,503)
Number of endoscopic operations per year: 1,334 (1,440)
Number of robotic operations per year: 454 (293)
There has been a clear increase in the number of daily hospitalizations and robotic surgeries, reflecting the current high level of activity. On the other hand, the number of outpatients exceeds 1,500 per day every year, and the number of outpatient treatment center cases per day exceeds 200, and the outpatient space is small, which is considered to be an urgent issue for our hospital. Although we are facing a limited space capacity, we are determined to provide the best medical care to many people, aim for further internationalization, and strive to develop the most advanced medical care. We sincerely ask for your continued warm support and advice.
National Cancer Center Hospital
Director, Yasuyuki Seto