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| Senior Staff Nao Murakami, M.D. |
Takuya Oyakawa, M.D. |
Hirohisa Endo, M.D. |
Tagayasu Anzai, M.D. |
Kei Iida, M.D. |
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| Chikara Ueki, M.D. |
"Cardio-Oncology" is a newly developing field within cardiovascular medicine. Rather than specializing solely on tumors of the heart, the Division of Cardio-Oncology provides optimal cardiovascular care for cancer patients, prioritizing both their current and future well-being through combined expertise in oncology and cardiology. Essentially, the medical care previously provided by the Division of Cardiology since the opening of the SCC has simply transitioned to this new division. Although the name has changed, our core clinical practices remain exactly the same. From a broader perspective, this division serves as a vital component of supportive cancer therapy.
The roles of the Division of Cardio-Oncology, which used to be the Division of Cardiology, are summed up in two major ones. One is to assess the current heart conditions of patients who have existing cardiovascular diseases—such as coronary artery disease (i.e., angina, myocardial infarction), arrhythmia, hypertension, heart failure, cardiomyopathy and valvular disease—or whose cardiac diseases are incidentally detected during preoperative examinations, and to support them so they undergo safe and uncomplicated cancer treatments. The other is to diagnose and provide treatment as well as management for cardiovascular side effects developed during cancer treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy, and anti-cancer drug therapy, so that patients can continue their cancer treatments as scheduled.
To assessing the heart's endurance to cancer treatment, we provide various examinations using cutting-edge modalities, including stress electrocardiogram, cardiac MRI, echocardiography, cardiac CT scans, myocardial perfusion scans, cardiac PET, and Swan-Ganz catheterization studies. If an examination indicates the need for a coronary catherization study, we will swiftly arrange a referral to a specialist at a neighboring medical institution. Even if the examination results reveal that a patient has a cardiovascular disorder, their cancer treatment should not be suspended. We will cooperate with the relevant clinical division to determine the best course of action for the patient, which may include concurrent administration of heart medication, blood pressure monitoring, or controlling the rate of intravenous infusions. We will make the best possible arrangements in cases where treating the heart disease must take priority. All these efforts are made to manage cardiovascular health so that patients can start or continue their cancer treatments as safely and promptly as possible.
If a patient develops a cardiovascular complication from cancer therapy, it will be immediately be managed at this division. For example, if sudden arrhythmia or acute heart failure occurs during anticancer drug treatment, we will promptly provide appropriate medication to control the disorder and prevent recurrence. Furthermore, some anticancer drugs exhibit long-term cardiotoxicity, resulting in a gradual decline in cardiac function or blood pressure variability. We continuously strive to detect these issues early and intervee promptly so patients can safely continue their cancer treatments. Additionally, because cancer patients have higher risk for thrombosis, we provide tailored medical therapy to keep clotting under control, ensuring that cancer treatment can proceed without interruption.
Despite recent medical advancements, many questions remain regarding the association beetween cancer and cardiovascular disorders, as well as how cancer treatments affect the heart. Furthermore, because new anticancer drugs are rapidly being developed, much of the essential data concertning the timing, type and frequency of their cardiovascular side effects remain unclarified. Additionally, the life exprctancy of cancer patients increases due to advanced therapies, late complications are emerging as a critical issue that previously received little focus. At this division, we constantly strive to maintain high-quality medicine by collecting the latest information from both domestic and international sources while actively engaging in research to clarify the association between cancer and heart disease.
The mission of the Division of Cardio-Oncology is “to ensure that cancer treatment is never suspended.” We do our utmost to support cancer patients so they can continue their treatments without delay or worry.
cardiovascular internal medicine
onco-cardiology
Certified Doctor, the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine
Specialist Certified by the Japanese Circulation Society
The Japanese Onco-Cardiology Society
cardiovascular internal medicine
cardio-oncology
cardiac tumor
Certified Doctor and Specialist for Internal Medicine, the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine
Certified Doctor, the Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics
Specialist Certified by the Japanese Circulation Society
General Clinical Oncologist Certified by the Japanese Board of Cancer Therapy
Certified Doctor in PET Nuclear Medicine, the Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine
Occupational Health Physician Certified by the Japan Medical Association
The Japanese Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
The Japanese Onco-Cardiology Society
clinical cardiology
onco-cardiology
Specialist Certified by the Japanese Circulation Society
Specialist for Arrhythmia Certified by the Japanese Heart Rhythm Society
Specialist for General Internal Medicine Certified by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine
The Japanese Onco-Cardiology Society
clinical cardiology
cardiovascular internal medicine
general internal medicine
Specialist Certified by the Japanese Circulation Society
Specialist Certified by the Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine
Specialist Certified by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine
The Japanese Onco-Cardiology Society
Occupational Health Physician Certified by the Japan Medical Association
