© 2005 Foundation for Promotion of Cancer Research
Multipoint Oncology Teleconference, Japan |
Multipoint Oncology Teleconference, Japan
This teleconference has been held on a weekly basis (on Thursday evenings) as a good opportunity for the discussion of important issues in clinical oncology. Nowadays, this plenary meeting among the major cancer centers is indispensable for maintaining the high standard of quality of cancer clinics throughout Japan.
Review (March 2005 series)
March 3: Metastatic breast cancer and treatment with Herceptin (moderated by Dr Yamamoto, Chiba Cancer Center Chiba). More than 3 years have passed since the introduction of Herceptin in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. The indication and duration for usage, increased incidence of brain metastasis, and prediction of response have been extensively discussed. Dr Kurosumi (Saitama Cancer Center) reported on a method of detecting overexpression of the HER2 gene, which is the basis for an improved response to Herceptin in terms of its pharmacological mechanisms. Dr Kataoka (National Kyusu Cancer Center) reported the clinical significance of serum HER2 measurement. Dr Yamamoto (Chiba Cancer Center) discussed the problems related to HER2 measurement and the indication of Herceptin treatment, on which maintenance therapy, strategy for brain metastasis, and the prediction of response are focused.
March 10: Treatment for early prostatic cancer (moderated by Dr Maeda, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases, Osaka). Early stage prostatic cancer is being found more often as a result of PSA measurement and ultrasound-guided biopsy. Among these cancers are indolent tumors that do not require any specific treatment. In these early prostatic cancers, the choice of appropriate treatment is a crucial problem. Dr Sumiyoshi (National Shikoku Cancer Center) reported that surgery was chosen in 36% of those patients with early prostate cancer, with the aim of attaining a higher cure rate. Dr Kashiwagi (Hokkaido Cancer Center) reported the indication and outcome of I-125 Brach in 19 cases with T1c-T2aN0M0, a PSA level lower than 10 ng/ml, and a Gleason score of <6. Dr Hamano (Chiba Cancer Center) reported on the fundamental mechanisms and clinical application of 3-dimensional radiotherapy (IMRT) in the treatment of early breast cancer, which enables the reduction of radiation to the collateral organs such as bladder and rectum. Dr Maeda (OMCCCD) discussed the concept and problems related to the careful watching and delayed intervention on symptoms.
March 17: Treatment for malignant bone and soft part sarcomas (moderated by Dr Hiraga, National Hokkaido Cancer Center, Sapporo). There are many problems related to the treatment of malignant bone and soft part tumors. Dr Hiraga (Hokkaido Cancer Center) gave an overview of the present status of treatment in advanced diseases with distant disease and unresectable primary tumors. Dr Chuma (NCC) discussed the indication and the outcome of chemotherapy with DOX and IFM mainly for advanced tumors. Dr Ishii (Chiba Cancer Center) reported on the indications of surgical resection for metastasis in the lung. Among these, 30% remain disease-free after pulmonary resection. Dr Katagiri (Shizuoka Cancer Center) discussed the efficacy of the combination of arterial infusion and radiation for unresectable tumors, in which long-term survivors are also included.
March 24: Treatment strategy for minimal N2 disease in lung cancer (moderated by Dr Sato, Miyagi Cancer Center, Sendai). Clinically detectable mediastinal node metastasis (N2 disease) indicate inoperability in lung cancer. The standard treatment for this disease is the combination of chemotherapy and radiation. However, among such cases, there are patients with minimal metastasis and a better prognosis almost equivalent to stage II. Dr Suzuki (NCC) gave an overview the outcome of surgical treatment for N2 disease. A treatment strategy for this category of patients consisting of surgery alone seems to have been neglected. Dr Ohishi (Tohoku University) reported on the possibility of selecting only better prognosis patients with N2 disease using+ preoperative CT images. Dr Sato (Aomori Central Hospital) reported the clinical significance of single-node N2 disease. Dr Takahashi (Miyagi Cancer Center) also evaluated CT images in order to detect single-node or single-station N2 disease.
For Japanese readers, detailed information of these conferences, including videos and slides of the presentations, are available at http://www.ncc.go.jp/jp/ncc-cis/pro/vod/index.html.
Institutions networked by a multipoint teleconference system: National Hospital Organization Hokkaido Cancer Center, Aomori Prefectural Central Hospital, Iwate Prefectural Central Hospital, Miyagi Cancer Center, Yamagata Prefectural Central Hospital, Ibaraki Prefectural Central Hospital, Niigata Cancer Center, Gunma Prefectural Cancer Center, National Cancer Center, East, National Cancer Center, Chiba Cancer Center, Saitama Cancer Center, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Aichi Cancer Center, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases, National Hospital Organization Kure Medical Center, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center, National Hospital Organization Kyusyu Cancer Center.
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