First in the Nation: Shizuoka Cancer Center Establishes New 'Department of Supportive Care' to Address Side Effects and Complications of Cancer Treatment

Shizuoka Cancer Center is committed to "treating and supporting cancer care" by developing a "comprehensive patient and family support system" to provide diverse assistance to patients and their families. In particular, it is crucial to understand in advance, prevent, and respond early to side effects and complications associated with cancer progression and its treatment (supportive care).

However, many side effects and complications lack established or existing effective treatments, often requiring multiple approaches such as pharmacotherapy, nutritional therapy, exercise therapy, and psychotherapy. To specialize in this supportive care, which has a high level of unmet needs, we have established the nation's first "Department of Supportive Care." This department offers outpatient clinics and self-care guidance provided by a team of multidisciplinary specialist doctors and professionals.

Patients attending our hospital have always been able to receive supportive care from diagnosis through post-treatment care. By newly establishing the "Department of Supportive Care," we will now broadly accept patients who are undergoing cancer treatment at other hospitals and are suffering from side effects or complications, as well as difficult cases. Through this initiative, we will move beyond regional boundaries to powerfully support the improvement of the quality of life (QOL) for more cancer patients.

[Background of Establishment: New Challenges in Cancer Care]

Currently, we live in an era where one in two Japanese people will experience cancer. Advances in medicine have made cancer care more precise, with the introduction of innovative drug therapies such as molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy. This has made it possible for patients to coexist with cancer for a long time, even in cases of advanced, incurable cancer. However, this has simultaneously created "new challenges." While survival periods have extended, patients and their families continue to face long-term physical suffering such as loss of appetite and weight loss (cachexia), numbness, dermatitis, and oral mucositis. If we focus only on "suppressing the disease," patients' physical strength will be depleted, and their quality of life will be significantly impaired.

Living with cancer is like a long and arduous voyage. Advances in treatment require, in parallel, essential "support" to complete those treatments. Our center's "Department of Supportive Care" has the mission of deciphering the side effects and prognosis of the treatments patients face, indicating the optimal path, and providing the best possible medical care.

[About the Department of Supportive Care: "Proactive Care" Provided by Five Specialty Outpatient Clinics]

Aiming to be a "science-based advanced specialty clinic," the Department of Supportive Care brings together experts from various fields to provide state-of-the-art treatment and care.

Self-Care Support Outpatient Clinic

Cancer nurse specialists and certified nurses with advanced expertise in cancer pharmacotherapy nursing are stationed here to guide patients and their families on "self-care" techniques, from telephone consultations to face-to-face instruction, helping them predict waves of side effects and overcome them through their own efforts. This clinic serves as a new foundation for empowering patients to take the initiative in their cancer treatment.

Lymphedema Outpatient Clinic

Swelling of the limbs (lymphedema) occurs as a sequela of cancer treatment. While it is estimated that there are approximately 2,500 patients in Shizuoka Prefecture alone, the issue of "lymphedema refugees" unable to find appropriate treatment centers is a challenge. This clinic provides seamless care, from diagnosis via imaging tests (lymphoscintigraphy, ICG lymphography) and objective severity assessment using body composition analysis, to conservative treatment (compression therapy) and advanced microscopic surgery (lymphovenous anastomosis: LVA) performed by plastic surgeons.

Cachexia Outpatient Clinic

"Cancer cachexia" causes loss of appetite and rapid weight loss. We provide precise assessment of grip strength and body composition to identify the cause and propose a multidisciplinary approach, including the prescription of multiple pharmacotherapies (anamorelin, Kampo, etc.), nutritional guidance, and exercise therapy in collaboration with physical therapists and nurses. We aim to overturn the common wisdom that "you lose weight because you have cancer" and provide ways to maintain the patient's nutritional status and physical function.

Oral Care Outpatient Clinic

Severe oral mucositis and taste disorders caused by anticancer drugs lead directly to treatment interruptions. Dentists and dedicated nurses work in tandem to thoroughly implement "preventive intervention" from the very early stages, rather than "treatment" after the condition has become severe. We protect the joy of eating and support the completion and continuation of cancer treatment.

Skin and Nail Disorder Outpatient Clinic

While innovative new cancer drug therapies (molecular targeted drugs, immune checkpoint inhibitors, etc.) show high efficacy, they can also cause specific skin disorders. Dermatologists with extensive experience in skin and nail disorders caused by cancer drug therapy, along with specialized nurses, provide guidance on proactive skincare from the beginning of treatment. We provide medical care that prevents patient distress and offers early treatment, ensuring that the latest cancer drug therapies can be received safely.

[Structure of the Department of Supportive Care]

1) Hospital-registered department name: Department of Supportive Care (Director: Dr. Tatsuaki Naito)

2) Start date: April 1, 2026

3) Location: "Department of Supportive Care," within the Supportive Therapy Center area, 3rd floor of the main hospital building

4) Outpatient Schedule

	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri
AM	Self-Care Support Outpatient*	Self-Care Support Outpatient*	Skin and Nail Disorder Outpatient	Self-Care Support Outpatient*	Self-Care Support Outpatient*
PM	Lymphedema Outpatient	Kampo Outpatient	Cachexia Outpatient	Lymphedema Outpatient	Oral Care Outpatient

*Indicates outpatient clinics where a multidisciplinary team—including nurses, nutritionists, and pharmacists—supports self-care related to preventing and treating cancer complications and side effects of cancer treatment.

5) Staff: Respiratory physicians, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, certified cancer chemotherapy nurses, cancer nurse specialists, etc.

6) How to make an appointment: Regional Medical Liaison Office, Appointment Center. Phone: 055 (989) 5680 (Reception hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and the year-end/new-year period.)