 |
| Chief Hiroshi Fuseya, M.D. |
 |
|
|
| Akira Tanuma, M.D. |
Asako Oka, M.D. | Yuna Shibata, M.D. |
Cancer patients can sometimes become bedridden due to severe pain, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Furthermore, surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy can temporarily impair or diminish physical function. These hardships often create significant obstacles in daily life, forcing patients to put aside their household responsibilities, careers, or education, ultimately reducing their quality of life.
At the Division of Rehabilitation Medicine, we support patients in reclaiming their quality of life through tailored rehabilitation programs, including mobility and swallowing training. Even when full functional recovery is difficult, we develop creative strategies to help patients make the absolute best use of their remaining abilities.
When our hospital opened, it was established as the first cancer center in Japan to feature an independent division dedicated entirely to rehabilitation. Since then, we have continued to pioneer the field of cancer rehabilitation medicine nationwide. In addition to board-certified rehabilitation physicians, our multidisciplinary team includes physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists. Together, we work collaboratively to address physical and functional challenges across all cancer types.
When tailoring a rehabilitation plan, we work closely alongside each patient's primary clinical division. For example, in complex cases such as surgery for esophageal cancer, we step in well before the operation. Because post-operative swallowing difficulties or respiratory complications are common, initiating therapy early prevents functional decline and ensures a significantly faster recovery than waiting until after symptoms occur.
We are not directly involved in cancer treatment, but we help patients maintain their daily lives in their own way, even while living with cancer
rehabilitation medicine in general
Specialist and Supervisory Doctor Certified by the Japanese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine
