Annual Report 2024
Department of Palliative Medicine
Eriko Satomi, Hiroto Ishiki, Sayaka Arakawa, Naruaki Kawasaki, Rumi Nishimura, Ayaka Ishikawa, Takako Ikegami, Naho Matsubara, Ayana Hirose, Rebekah Kojima
Introduction
The palliative care service started with a palliative care team of multidisciplinary professionals (palliative care specialists, psycho-oncologists, certified nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, hospital play staff, acupuncturists) in the National Cancer Center Hospital (NCCH) in 1999 and the Department of Palliative Care and Psycho-Oncology was established in 2010 with the reorganization of the NCCH. In 2013, the Department of Palliative Medicine started.
The Team and What We Do
We provide palliative care to patients and their families as members of the palliative care team collaborating with primary doctors, nurses, and other professionals to create an individualized palliative care plan. Our goals are:
- Relieve pain and other physical symptoms
- Focus on patients’ emotional and spiritual concerns, and those of their caregivers
- Coordinate patients’ care
- Improve the quality of life of patients with cancer
- Advance care planning
Patient demography in the outpatient clinic and palliative care team (Table 1)
Research Activities
We are participating in and conducting multicenter observational studies and interventional studies for supportive and palliative care and continuously planning palliative care research for the innovation of palliative care.
Clinical Trials
EORTC-QOL study (EORTC CACHEXIA24, EORTC CancerSURVIV, ACT-1 (Phase II study of the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for CIPN), ABC-1 (Phase II study of the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in Breast Cancer Survivors with Post-Mastectomy Pain Syndrome, PAL20 (Exploratory trial of preventive Olanzapine for opioid induced nausea and vomiting), PhaseR-Methadone, MARC study (Phase II study of the efficacy and safety of additive methadone on other opioid for intractable cancer pain), Screening Distress and Supportive Care Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Effectiveness of the educational program for healthcare professionals to support cancer patients with minor children, Pilot study of web consultation on specialized cancer pain, Mirocanp study, Smile study (AIT for CIPN), AYA end of life interview study, etc.
Education
We have three training courses for doctors who will be palliative care specialists and for residents to learn primary palliative care. One chief resident and three residents took training courses in specialized palliative medicine. All the medical oncology residents in the NCCH need to acquire the knowledge and skills in primary supportive and palliative care in oncology. They can participate in our team for four weeks and undergo on-the-job training for palliative medicine. A total of 18 residents, 1 chief resident and 1 intern finished the four-week palliative medicine course in 2024. They learned specialist palliative care in oncology including physical, psychosocial, and spiritual supportive care during anti-cancer therapy as well as end-of-life care, and support for patients’ decision making and advance care planning. We also organized the PEACE Palliative Care Training Seminar, a basic training course in palliative care set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Thirteen people completed the one-day training, which included small group discussions and role-playing workshops. Two members obtained certification as specialists of the Japanese Society for Palliative Medicine, and two others were certified as accredited physicians. Additionally, the NCC Palliative and Supportive Care Seminar was held online six times, with a total of 417 participants.
Future Prospects
We will continue to provide qualified palliative cancer care with an integrated palliative care model in clinical practice throughout the continuum of a person’s disease, regardless of whether it is early or later in its course. In addition, we will enhance our palliative care education program for specialists and oncologists. We will also continuously conduct high-level palliative care research in order to strengthen evidence to improve palliative care practice.
List of papers published in 2024
Journal
1. Hasuo H, Ishiki H, Matsuda Y, Matsuoka H, Kosugi K, Xing M, Akiyama Y, Matsumoto Y, Ishikawa H. Trigger point injections for myofascial pain in terminal cancer: a randomized trial. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.), 26:14-21, 2025
2. Nakashima K, Harashima S, Kaneko R, Tanaka R, Abe M, Wada M, Iino K, Akechi T, Iihara H, Imamura CK, Okuyama A, Ozawa K, Kim YI, Satomi E, Takeda M, Nakajima TE, Nakamura N, Nishimura J, Noda M, Hayashi K, Higashi T, Boku N, Matsumoto K, Matsumoto Y, Okita K, Yamamoto N, Aogi K, Sasaki H. Efficacy and safety of multi-day antiemetic treatment for patients undergoing multi-day chemotherapy: a systematic review of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Antiemesis 2023 from Japan Society of Clinical Oncology. International journal of clinical oncology, 30:17-26, 2025
3. Murakami M, Miyata Y, Nakashima K, Abe M, Nishimura J, Wada M, Iino K, Akechi T, Iihara H, Imamura CK, Okuyama A, Ozawa K, Kim YI, Sasaki H, Satomi E, Takeda M, Tanaka R, Nakamura N, Noda M, Hayashi K, Higashi T, Boku N, Matsumoto K, Matsumoto Y, Okita K, Yamamoto N, Aogi K, Nakajima TE. Clinical benefits of adding olanzapine to 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist, NK(1) receptor antagonist, and dexamethasone for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in highly emetogenic chemotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Antiemesis 2023 from the Japan Society of Clinical Oncology. International journal of clinical oncology, 30:27-39, 2025
4. Amano K, Okamura S, Miura T, Baracos VE, Mori N, Sakaguchi T, Uneno Y, Ishiki H, Hiratsuka Y, Yokomichi N, Hamano J, Baba M, Mori M, Morita T. Clinical Implications of the C-Reactive Protein-Albumin Ratio as a Prognostic Marker in Terminally Ill Patients with Cancer. Journal of palliative medicine, 28:592-600, 2025
5. Koshimoto S, Amano K, Hopkinson JB, Okamura S, Sakaguchi T, Arakawa S, Tokoro A, Mori N, Nozato J, Iriyama T, Sato S, Takeuchi T. Sex-related differences in eating-related distress experienced by patients with advanced cancer. Supportive care in cancer, 33:241, 2025
6. Davis MP, Davies A, McPherson ML, Reddy AS, Paice JA, Roeland EJ, Walsh D, Mercadante S, Case AA, Arnold RM, Satomi E, Crawford G, Bruera E, Bohlke K, Ripamonti C. Opioid conversion in adults with cancer: MASCC-ASCO-AAHPM-HPNA-NICSO guideline. Supportive care in cancer, 33:243, 2025
7. Miyazaki K, Suzukamo Y, Ikenaga M, Ohsumi S, Saito M, Satomi E, Shimozuma K, Nakayama T. Interpretation of clinically meaningful change in cancer palliative care patients' quality of life: minimally important difference for EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL. Journal of patient-reported outcomes, 9:33, 2025
8. Takamizawa S, Ishiki H, Oyamada S, Takeda Y, Kiuchi D, Amano K, Matsuda Y, Yokomichi N, Kohara H, Suzuki K, Satomi E, Mori M. Psychological symptom burden associated with malignant wounds: Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study. Palliative & supportive care, 22:396-403, 2024
9. Takeda Y, Ishiki H, Oyamada S, Otani H, Maeda I, Yamaguchi T, Hamano J, Mori M, Morita T. Symptoms and Prognoses of Patients With Breast Cancer and Malignant Wounds in Palliative Care Units: The Multicenter, Prospective, Observational EASED Study. The American journal of hospice & palliative care, 41:1373-1379, 2024
10. Kawashima N, Yokomichi N, Morita T, Yabuki R, Hisanaga T, Imai K, Hirose Y, Shimokawa M, Miwa S, Yamauchi T, Okamoto S, Satomi E. Comparison of Pharmacological Treatments for Agitated Delirium in the Last Days of Life. Journal of pain and symptom management, 67:441-452.e3, 2024
11. Amano K, Okamura S, Baracos VE, Mori N, Sakaguchi T, Uneno Y, Hiratsuka Y, Hamano J, Miura T, Ishiki H, Yokomichi N, Hatano Y, Morita T, Mori M. Impacts of fluid retention on prognostic abilities of cachexia diagnostic criteria in cancer patients with refractory cachexia. Clinical nutrition ESPEN, 60:373-381, 2024
12. Ikegami T, Ishiki H, Kadono T, Ito T, Yokomichi N. Narrative review of malignant ascites: epidemiology, pathophysiology, assessment, and treatment. Annals of palliative medicine, 13:842-857, 2024
13. Sodergren SC, Hurley-Wallace A, Vassiliou V, Alkhaffaf B, Batsaikhan B, Darlington AS, Fleitas-Kanonnikof T, Guren MG, Honda M, Kim YW, Kim S, Krishnamurthy MN, Loh SY, Turhal NS, Zhou J, Dennis K, Krishnatry R, Terashima M, Tsironis G, Yoshikawa T, Terada M. Revisiting the use of the EORTC QLQ-STO22 to assess health-related quality of life of patients with gastric cancer: incorporating updated treatment options and cross-cultural perspectives. Gastric cancer, 27:722-734, 2024
14. Tsuruta S, Matsuguma K, Kawasaki N, Ishikawa A, Ishiki H. Olanzapine for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting control. The Lancet. Oncology, 25:e176, 2024
15. Kobayashi M, Kako J, Iba A, Okuyama A, Ozawa K, Abe M, Wada M, Akechi T, Iihara H, Imamura CK, Kim YI, Sasaki H, Satomi E, Takeda M, Tanaka R, Nakajima TE, Nakamura N, Nishimura J, Noda M, Hayashi K, Higashi T, Boku N, Matsumoto K, Matsumoto Y, Okita K, Yamamoto N, Aogi K, Iino K. Non-pharmacological treatments for anticipatory nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Antiemesis 2023. International journal of clinical oncology, 29:889-898, 2024
16. Iihara H, Abe M, Wada M, Iino K, Akechi T, Imamura CK, Okuyama A, Ozawa K, Kim YI, Sasaki H, Satomi E, Takeda M, Tanaka R, Nakajima TE, Nakamura N, Nishimura J, Noda M, Hayashi K, Higashi T, Boku N, Matsumoto K, Matsumoto Y, Okita K, Yamamoto N, Aogi K. 2023 Japan Society of clinical oncology clinical practice guidelines update for antiemesis. International journal of clinical oncology, 29:873-888, 2024
17. Toda Y, Ishiki H, Kawasaki N, Arakawa S, Satomi E. Opioids for back and neck pain: the OPAL trial. Lancet (London, England), 403:2378-2379, 2024
18. Mizusawa J, Ogawa G, Terada M, Ishiki H, Kikawa Y, Kiyota N. Statistical Analysis Methods and Reporting of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Randomized Controlled Trials for Cancer Conducted in Japan: A Systematic Review. Cureus, 16:e60804, 2024
19. Shimizu M, Maeda I, Kessoku T, Ishiki H, Matsuura T, Hiratsuka Y, Matsuda Y, Hasegawa T, Imai K, Oyamada S, Satomi E. The safety and effectiveness of naldemedine for opioid-induced constipation in patients with advanced cancer in real-world palliative care settings: a multicenter prospective observational study. Supportive care in cancer, 32:504, 2024
20. Davis MP, Davies A, McPherson ML, Reddy A, Paice JA, Roeland E, Walsh D, Mercadante S, Case A, Arnold R, Satomi E, Crawford G, Bruera E, Ripamonti C. Opioid analgesic dose and route conversion ratio studies: a scoping review to inform an eDelphi guideline. Supportive care in cancer, 32:542, 2024
21. Kawasaki N, Ishiki H, Arakawa S, Satomi E, Matsuoka H, Hasuo H. Myofascial pain syndrome in patients with cancer: a narrative review. BMJ supportive & palliative care, spcare-2024-005064, 2024
22. Takamizawa S, Ishiki H, Takeda Y, Arakawa S, Kawasaki N, Maeda I, Yokomichi N, Yamaguchi T, Otani H, Morita T, Satomi E, Mori M. Prognostic Impact of Malignant Wounds in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: Secondary Analysis of a Prospective Cohort Study. Cancer control, 31:10732748241274216, 2024
23. Hayashi T, Yamamoto S, Miyata Y, Takeda M, Abe M, Wada M, Iino K, Akechi T, Imamura CK, Okuyama A, Ozawa K, Kim YI, Sasaki H, Satomi E, Tanaka R, Nakajima TE, Nakamura N, Nishimura J, Noda M, Hayashi K, Higashi T, Boku N, Matsumoto K, Matsumoto Y, Okita K, Yamamoto N, Aogi K, Iihara H. Defining the clinical benefits of adding a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist to control chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in moderately emetogenic chemotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the clinical practice guidelines for antiemesis 2023 from the Japan society of clinical oncology. International journal of clinical oncology, 29:1616-1631, 2024
24. Yokomizo A, Nakashima K, Iba A, Okita K, Wada M, Iino K, Akechi T, Iihara H, Imamura CK, Okuyama A, Ozawa K, Kim YI, Sasaki H, Satomi E, Takeda M, Tanaka R, Nakajima TE, Nakamura N, Nishimura J, Noda M, Hayashi K, Higashi T, Boku N, Matsumoto K, Matsumoto Y, Yamamoto N, Aogi K, Abe M. Efficacy and safety of dexamethasone sparing for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with highly emetogenic risk antineoplastic agents: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Antiemesis 2023 from the Japan Society of Clinical Oncology. International journal of clinical oncology, 29:1632-1640, 2024
25. Arraras JI, Giesinger J, Shamieh O, Bahar I, Koller M, Bredart A, Costantini A, Greimel E, Sztankay M, Wintner LM, de Sousa MC, Ishiki H, Kontogianni M, Wolan M, Kikawa Y, Lanceley A, Gioulbasanis I, Harle A, Zarandona U, Kulis D, Kuljanic K. An international field study for the reliability and validity of the EORTC communication questionnaire EORTC QLQ-COMU26. Health and quality of life outcomes, 22:87, 2024
26. Nakashima K, Yokomizo A, Murakami M, Okita K, Wada M, Iino K, Akechi T, Iihara H, Imamura CK, Okuyama A, Ozawa K, Kim YI, Sasaki H, Satomi E, Takeda M, Tanaka R, Nakajima TE, Nakamura N, Nishimura J, Noda M, Hayashi K, Higashi T, Boku N, Matsumoto K, Matsumoto Y, Yamamoto N, Aogi K, Abe M. Efficacy and safety of dexamethasone sparing for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with moderately emetogenic chemotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Antiemesis 2023 from Japan Society of Clinical Oncology. International journal of clinical oncology, 29:1785-1794, 2024
27. Okamura S, Amano K, Koshimoto S, Arakawa S, Ishiki H, Satomi E, Morita T, Takeuchi T, Mori N, Yamada T. Factors Associated with Multimodal Care Practices for Cancer Cachexia among Pharmacists. Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.), 31:6133-6143, 2024
28. Matsumoto Y, Umemura S, Okizaki A, Fujisawa D, Yamaguchi T, Oyamada S, Miyaji T, Mashiko T, Kobayashi N, Satomi E, Kiuchi D, Morita T, Uchitomi Y, Goto K, Ohe Y. Nurse-Led Screening-Triggered Early Specialized Palliative Care Program for Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial. Cancer medicine, 13:e70325, 2024
29. Arraras JI, Giesinger J, Shamieh O, Bahar I, Koller M, Bredart A, Costantini A, Greimel E, Sztankay M, Wintner LM, de Sousa MC, Ishiki H, Kontogianni M, Wolan M, Kikawa Y, Lanceley A, Gioulbasanis I, Harle A, Zarandona U, Kulis D, Gašpert T, Kuljanic K. An international study of clinical, demographic, and competence-related determinants of communication with professionals. Supportive care in cancer, 33:4, 2024
30. Matsumoto Y, Uehara Y, Mizushima A, Kosugi T, Sone M, Nakamura N, Miyashita M, Morita T, Yamaguchi T, Satomi E. Availability of, Barriers to Performing, and Educational Practices of Interventional Procedures for Refractory Pain in Cancer Patients: A Nationwide Survey of Designated Cancer Hospitals in Japan. Palliative medicine reports, 5:543-552, 2024
31. Amano K, Koshimoto S, Okamura S, Sakaguchi T, Arakawa S, Matsuda Y, Tokoro A, Takeuchi T, Satomi E, Wada T, Wada M, Yamada T, Mori N. Association of Systemic Inflammation with Dietary Intake, Nutrition Impact Symptoms, and Eating-Related Distress Among Patients with Advanced Cancer. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 12:2533, 2024