Thoracic Oncology

Staff

Deputy Director Toshiaki Takahashi, M.D., Ph.D.	Chief Hirotsugu Kenmotsu, M.D., Ph.D.	Senior Staff, Also Serving at the Div. of Advanced Medical Development  Ryo Ko, M.D., Ph.D.	Senior Staff, Also Serving as Deputy Chief, Div. of Advanced Medical Development  Kazushige Wakuda, M.D., Ph.D.	Senior Staff, Also Serving as Chief, Div. of Advanced Medical Development Haruyasu Murakami, M.D., Ph.D.
Senior Staff, Also Serving as Manager, Supportive Therapy Center Tateaki Naito, M.D., Ph.D.	Senior Staff (Researcher) Akira Ono, M.D., Ph.D.	Haruki Kobayashi, M.D., Ph.D.	Keita Miura, M.D.	Suguru Matsuda, M.D.

Chief Resident Shin Saito, M.D.	Chief Resident Shunichi Kataoka, M.D.	Resident Kohei Kushiro M.D.	Resident Nanami Hiraiwa M.D., Ph.D.	Resident Yugo Matsumura, M.D.

Resident Yuya Kawaguchi, M.D.

Features of Thoracic Oncology

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for men and the second leading cause for women in Japan, with incidence rates projected to rise in the coming years. Respiratory malignancies and tumors—including cancers of the lung, throat, and bronchus, as well as mediastinal, chest wall, and pleural tumors—are comprehensively treated using a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and anti-cancer drug therapy (chemotherapy). Within this care network, the Division of Thoracic Oncology specializes specifically in the administration and management of anti-cancer drug treatments. Beyond treating the cancer itself, the Division provides supportive therapy to relieve the side effects of cancer treatments, alongside palliative care to effectively control tumor-related pain. Additionally, our specialized team manages preexisting chronic respiratory diseases in cancer patients and provides prompt, expert treatment for any respiratory complications that may arise during the course of cancer therapy.

Features and Therapeutic Strategies of the Division at the SCC

Experts of chemotherapy in respiratory organs are here to provide cancer treatments.

Each patient’s diagnosis and treatment plan are determined through a joint conference collaborating with the Divisions of Thoracic Surgery, Diagnostic Radiology, and Radiation Therapy. Within the Division of Thoracic Oncology, we provide comprehensive internal medicine focused on advanced medical care, including anti-cancer drug therapy (chemotherapy) and chemoradiation therapy for advanced lung cancer, alongside palliative care to effectively manage pain. Our medical team consists entirely of specialized physicians who dedicate their expertise exclusively to respiratory cancers.

The latest cancer therapy is offered as part of clinical trials.

In the field of lung cancer chemotherapy, "personalized medicine"—the practice of customizing anti-cancer drug therapies based on the specific genetic profile or cell type of a tumor—has become well-established and has significantly improved patient outcomes. To drive these advancements even further and provide our patients with immediate access to the latest breakthroughs, the Division of Thoracic Oncology at the SCC actively participates in clinical trials evaluating novel, cutting-edge therapies.

Supportive therapy to take care of side effects is being provided here.

Side effects vary from patient to patient, and their frequency and severity depend on many factors, including the type and dose of the medication, as well as the patient's age and overall health. Effectively controlling these side effects is essential to the success of any anti-cancer drug treatment. For commonly anticipated side effects, proactive preventive measures are put in place. For other potential side effects, our medical team carefully evaluates the timing and frequency of their onset to provide tailored care for each individual case.

In recent years, the development of new anti-cancer drugs has diversified the types of side effects patients may experience. These can include skin reactions, eye conditions, mouth ulcers, and high blood pressure, which can sometimes require highly specialized care outside of oncology. For these complex cases, we form a dedicated multidisciplinary team—including specialists from the Divisions of Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Oral Surgery, and Cardiology, alongside certified oncology nurses and pharmacists—to comprehensively manage and resolve these symptoms.

Palliative care is also provided.

At our Division, we are deeply committed to providing palliative care that effectively eases distressing symptoms such as breathing difficulties and pain. Even for advanced cases where surgery is not an option, optimal modern treatments now make it possible for patients to achieve longer survival while maintaining a significantly better quality of life.

A Word from the Division Staff

At the Division of Thoracic Oncology, we provide advanced internal cancer treatments that require highly specialized expertise. At the same time, we are fully committed to caring for your overall health comprehensively. Because our team is expert in managing various respiratory conditions—including chronic illnesses like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and bronchial asthma that may coexist with cancer, as well as complications like pneumothorax or drug- and radiation-induced interstitial lung disease—elderly patients and those with chronic health conditions can feel completely at ease while receiving their cancer treatments here.

Fields of Expertise, Professional Memberships and Credentials

Toshiaki Takahashi, M.D., Ph.D., Deputy Director

Fields of Expertise

chemotherapy for pulmonary cancer

clinical oncology

Professional Memberships and Credentials

Interim Supervisory Doctor Certified by the Japanese Society of Medical Oncology

Certified Physician and Specialist, the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine

Specialist and Supervisory Doctor Certified by the Japanese Respiratory Society

Specialist and Supervisory Doctor Certified by the Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy

The Japan Lung Cancer Society

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)

Hirotsugu Kenmotsu, M.D., Ph.D., Chief

Fields of Expertise

chemotherapy for pulmonary cancer
clinical oncology

Professional Memberships and Credentials

Certified Physician, the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine

Specialist and Supervisory Doctor Certified by the Japanese Respiratory Society

Cancer Chemotherapy Specialist and Supervisory Doctor Certified by the Japanese Society of Medical Oncology

The Japanese Cancer Association
The Japan Lung Cancer Society

Specialist and Supervisory Doctor Certified by the Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy

Specialist Certified by the Japanese Society of Allergology

General Clinical Oncologist Certified by the Japanese Board of Cancer Therapy

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)

Ryo Ko, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Staff, Also Serving at the Div. of Advanced Medical Development

Fields of Expertise

respiratory medicine

Professional Memberships and Credentials

Certified Physician, the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine

The Japanese Respiratory Society
The Japan Lung Cancer Society
The Japanese Society of Medical Oncology

Kazushige Wakuda, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Staff, Also Serving as Deputy Chief, Div. of Advanced Medical Development

Fields of Expertise

respiratory medicine

Professional Memberships and Credentials

Certified Physician and Specialist, the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine

Specialist Certified by the Japanese Respiratory Society

Specialist Certified by the Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy

The Japanese Society of Medical Oncology
The Japan Lung Cancer Society

General Clinical Oncologist Certified by the Japanese Board of Cancer Therapy

Haruyasu Murakami, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Staff, Also Serving as Chief, Division of Advanced Medical Development

Fields of Expertise

chemotherapy for pulmonary cancer
clinical oncology

Professional Memberships and Credentials

Certified Physician and Specialist, the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine

The Japanese Society of Medical Oncology

Specialist and Supervisory Doctor Certified by the Japanese Respiratory Society

The Japanese Cancer Association
The Japan Lung Cancer Society
The Japan Society of Clinical Oncology

General Clinical Oncologist Certified by the Japanese Board of Cancer Therapy

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)

Tateaki Naito, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Staff, Also Serving as Manager, Supportive Therapy Center

Fields of Expertise

chemotherapy for pulmonary cancer
cancer supportive medicine
cancer cachexia

Professional Memberships and Credentials

Clinical Professor, School of Nursing and Graduate School of Nursing Science, St. Luke’s International University

Commissioner, and Chair, Cachexia Working Group, the Japanese Association of Supportive Care in Cancer

Commissioner, and Chair, Nutrition and Cachexia Study Group, the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC)

Commissioner, the Japan Association for Cachexia and Sarcopenia

Supervisory Doctor Certified by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine
Specialist Certified by the Japanese Respiratory Society

General Clinical Oncologist Certified by the Japanese Board of Cancer Therapy

Akira Ono, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Staff (Researcher)

Fields of Expertise

chemotherapy for pulmonary cancer
clinical oncology

Professional Memberships and Credentials

Certified Physician, the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine

Cancer Chemotherapy Specialist and Supervisory Doctor Certified by the Japanese Society of Medical Oncology

The Japanese Association for Medical Artificial Intelligence
The Japan Lung Cancer Society

Haruki Kobayashi, M.D., Ph.D.

Fields of Expertise

respiratory medicine

Professional Memberships and Credentials

Certified Physician and Specialist, the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine

Specialist Certified by the Japanese Respiratory Society
Specialist Certified by the Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy
The Japan Lung Cancer Society
Specialist Certified by the Japanese Society of Allergology

Certified Doctor, the Japanese Society for Tuberculosis and Nontuberculous Mycobacteriosis

General Clinical Oncologist Certified by the Japanese Board of Cancer Therapy

Keita Miura, M.D., Ph.D.

Fields of Expertise

respiratory medicine

Professional Memberships and Credentials

Certified Physician and Specialist, the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine

The Japanese Respiratory Society
Specialist Certified by the Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy
The Japan Lung Cancer Society
The Japanese Society of Medical Oncology

General Clinical Oncologist Certified by the Japanese Board of Cancer Therapy

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)

Suguru Matsuda, M.D.

Fields of Expertise

respiratory medicine

Professional Memberships and Credentials

The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine
The Japanese Respiratory Society
The Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy
The Japan Lung Cancer Society

Shin Saito, M.D., Chief Resident

Fields of Expertise

pulmonary cancer
respiratory medicine

Professional Memberships and Credentials

Specialist Certified by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine
The Japanese Respiratory Society
The Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy
The Japanese Society of Medical Oncology
The Japan Lung Cancer Society
The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)

Shunichi Kataoka, M.D., Chief Resident

Fields of Expertise

respiratory medicine

Professional Memberships and Credentials

Specialist Certified by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine
Specialist Certified by the Japanese Respiratory Society
The Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy
The Japanese Society of Medical Oncology
The Japan Lung Cancer Society
The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)

Kohei Kushiro, M.D., Ph.D., Resident

Fields of Expertise

respiratory medicine

Professional Memberships and Credentials

The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine
The Japanese Respiratory Society
The Japan Lung Cancer Society
The Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy
The Japanese Society of Medical Oncology
The Japanese Society for Palliative Medicine
The Japanese Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
The Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC)

Nanami Hiraiwa, M.D., Resident

Fields of Expertise

plumonary cancer
thoracic surgery

Professional Memberships and Credentials

Specialist Certified by the Japan Surgical Society
The Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery
Specialist Certified by the Japanese Society of Thoracic Surgeons
The Japan Lung Cancer Society

Yugo Matsumura, M.D., Resident

Fields of Expertise

respiratory medicine

Professional Memberships and Credentials

Specialist Certified by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine
The Japanese Respiratory Society
The Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy
The Japan Lung Cancer Society
The Japanese Society of Medical Oncology

Yuya Kawaguchi, M.D., Resident

Fields of Expertise

organ of respiration

Professional Memberships and Credentials

The Japanese Society of Medical Oncology
The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine