Characteristics of medical care in Japan
Particle beam therapy
Suitable for the following cancers:
Head and neck
Lungs
Liver
Pancreas
Prostate
Uterus
Particle beam therapy is a type of radiation treatment that irradiates cancer cells with particle beams (heavy particle beams/proton beams) to kill and suppress the growth of cancer cells. Unlike general radiation, particle beams only target cancer cells deep inside the body, which results in less damage to normal cells and minimal side effects and complications.
Thoracic cavity/Laparoscopic surgery,Robot-assisted surgery
Suitable for the following cancers:
Lungs- Stomach
Esophagus- Liver
Kidney
Thoracic/laparoscopic surgery is performed by inserting devices through a small (5 to 12 mm) opening in the abdomen or chest. Robotic-assisted surgery enables precise operations using a laparoscope/thoracoscope. These technologies result in smaller wounds, reduced physical burden, and quicker recovery.
Endoscopy/Treatment
Suitable for the following cancers:
- Stomach
Colon
Endoscopy enables more reliable and early detection by directly examining organs. Endoscopy treatment targets stomach and colon cancer by inserting an endoscope to remove cancerous tumors. Endoscopic colon submucosal dissection (ESD) is a type of dissection in which hyaluronic acid is injected into the submucosal layer of a cancerous lesion to first float the lesion before removing it using a high-frequency knife. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a type of resection to burn off the tumor using a metal ring. Polypectomy is a method in which the above procedures are performed on lesions that have a stalk or constriction shaped like a mushroom.