Oncology in Tokyo

Oncology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the research, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. A medical professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating people with cancer is called an oncologist.

An oncologist can design a treatment plan based on detailed pathology reports that shows the type of cancer the patient has, how much cancer has developed, how fast the cancer is likely to spread, and what parts of the patient's body are involved.

The field of oncology has three main areas, which include:

• Medical oncologists use chemotherapy, hormonal therapies, and other types of targeted treatments to treat cancer. Most people think of medical oncologist as their primary cancer doctor. Medical oncologists help monitor and maintain patients' well-being, as well as helping patients manage side effects. Often patients follow up with their medical oncologist once their treatment is complete.
• Surgical oncologists perform the surgical removal of the tumor and surrounding tissue. They will help patients prepare for and recover from any surgical procedure they undergo during their cancer treatment. If your primary doctor suspects that you have cancer, a surgical oncologist is likely one of the first doctors you see. Surgical oncologists can perform biopsies, which involves removing a small tissue sample to be checked for cancer cells.
• Radiation oncologists treat cancer using radiation therapy. They use high-energy photon beams to target and destroy cancer cells. Approximately one-half of all cancer patients will undergo radiation treatment during their cancer care.

Because most cancers are treated with a combination of therapies, you could see two or all three different oncologists during the course of your treatment.

Besides the three main areas, there are also several other areas of oncology. These include:

• Pediatric oncologists diagnose and treat cancer in children. Some types of cancer appear more often in children and teenagers, such as leukemia, brain tumors, osteosarcoma, and Ewing’s sarcoma. Some pediatric oncologists focus on conducting research on childhood cancers, while others specialize in certain types of cancer.
• Gynecologic oncologists treat cancers that affect women, such as cancer of the ovary, cervix, uterus, vagina, and vulva. Additionally, they also treat complicated gynecological conditions that are not cancerous, such as fibroid tumors and endometriosis.
• Hematologist-oncologists diagnoses and treats blood cancers, such as lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma. They may also specialize in the management of solid tumors.

Oncologists usually work with a variety of other medical professionals, including pathologists, diagnostic radiologists, oncology nurses, and oncology social workers. They may also work with doctors from other areas of medicine, such as neurologists, dermatologists, or urologists.

What does Oncology Involve?

There are many types of procedures to treat cancer. The types of procedures that you receive will depend on the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is. Some people who have cancer will only have one treatment. However, most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. Below are the types of procedures to treat cancer:

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells in the body and prevent them from growing. The drugs can prevent cell division, target the food source of the cancer cells’ (the hormones and enzymes the cells need to grow), and trigger apoptosis (a process in which cancer cells kill themselves).

• Chemotherapy drugs can be given in several different ways, including.
• Oral – taken in a pill or capsule form.
• Intravenously – through an infusion into a vein.
• Shots – injected with a needle.
• Topical – applying creams or gels into the skin. This type is used to treat certain types of skin cancer.

Chemotherapy drugs can also be given directly to cancer or directly to an area of the body, such as the abdomen or central nervous system.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy, or biologic therapy, boosts your body’s natural defenses to fight cancer. It uses substances made by your own body, or in a laboratory, to improve or restore your immune system function. It can stop cancer from spreading to other parts of the body, stop or slow the growth of cancer cells, and help your immune system work better at destroying cancer cells.

There are several types of immunotherapy to treat cancer, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, T-cell transfer therapy, monoclonal antibodies, treatment vaccines, and immune system modulators. Different types of immunotherapy may be given in different ways, such as intravenous (IV), oral, intravesical (directly into the bladder), or topical.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy uses drugs that are designed to specifically “target” cancer cells without affecting normal cells. It targets the cancer’s specific proteins, genes, or other tissue environment contributing to cancer survival and growth. These proteins and genes are found in cancer cells or in cells related to cancer growth.

The targeted drugs can block or turn off chemical signals that tell cancer cells when to divide and grow, stop making new blood vessels that feed cancer cells, change proteins within the cancer cells so the cells die, trigger the immune system to kill cancer cells, and carry toxins in the cancer cells to kill them.

• There are two types of targeted therapy:
• Small-molecule drugs, which is given through pills or capsules that you swallow
• Monoclonal antibodies, which are given through a needle in a blood vein.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses intense energy beams to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It most often uses X-rays, but other types of energy, such as protons may also be used.

Radiation therapy can be done in two ways:

• External-beam radiation therapy – this type of radiation therapy delivers radiation from a machine outside the body. You will lie on a table, and the machine (called a linear accelerator) moves around you to deliver radiation from several different angles. It is a quick and painless procedure.
• Internal radiation therapy – also called brachytherapy, involves both temporary and permanent placement of radioactive sources in the body. During the placement of the radioactive sources, you will be given anesthesia.

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy stops or slows the growth of cancer that uses hormones to grow. It works by blocking your body’s ability to produce hormones or interfere with how hormones behave in your body. It can reduce the chance that cancer will return by stopping or slowing its growth, as well as preventing or reducing symptoms in men with prostate cancer.

Hormone therapy is usually used to treat breast and prostate cancer. It can be taken in many ways, including orally, through an injection, and surgery.

Stem Cell Transplant

People whose blood-forming stem cells are damaged by the very high doses of radiation therapy or chemotherapy can undergo stem cell transplant to restore the cells. Blood-forming stem cells are vital since they grow into different types of blood cells that you need to be healthy. The stem cells will be given to you through an IV catheter. The process is very much like receiving a blood transfusion.

Surgical treatment

Surgical treatment for cancer is a procedure to remove cancer from your body. There are many types of surgeries to treat cancer, which differ based on the part of the body that requires surgery, the purpose of the surgery, the amount of tissue to be removed, and your preference. In general, the surgery can be open or minimally invasive.

• During open surgery, one large incision is made to remove the tumor, some healthy tissue, and some nearby lymph nodes.
• During minimally invasive surgery, a few tiny incisions are made instead of a large one. These incisions are made to insert a laparoscope (a long, thin tube with a camera on its end) and special surgical tools. The laparoscope allows your surgeon to see the inside of the body, and the surgical tools are used to remove the tumor and some healthy tissue.

How Long Should I Stay in Tokyo?

For chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy, the treatment schedule may vary. You may have treatment every day, week, or month. It may also be given in a cycle, which is a period of treatment followed by a period of rest to give your body a chance to recover. For surgical treatment, you may need to stay in the hospital for a few days, and you need to stay in Tokyo for at least 10 to 14 days. Your oncologist and/or medical tourism team will advise you on the length of stay in Tokyo.

What's the Recovery Time?

The type of procedure you undergo determines the recovery period. While you may be able to get back to your normal routine within 10 days after laparoscopic surgery, you may need to wait around 6 weeks to fully recover from open surgery. Your oncologist will give you a detailed recovery timeline.

What About Aftercare?

You will be given instructions on how to take care of yourself. Your surgeon or nurse will explain how to control your pain, how to take care of your wound, activities you can and cannot do, and how to spot signs of infections. You may also need to talk to a dietitian to help with eating problems caused by the treatment. You will need to attend follow-up checkups to monitor your condition.

What's the Success Rate?

Cancer survival has improved significantly due to constant advancement and improvements in the field of oncology, including improvement in treatments and screening (allowing for earlier diagnosis). Still, you need to be aware of the risks, such as infection, bleeding, nerve damage, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and hair loss.

Are there Alternatives to Oncology?

There is no other alternative than to see an oncologist when it comes to cancer treatments. Some people may choose to undergo meditation, hypnosis, and acupuncture as well, usually to relieve the stress, anxiety, and pain that cancer can bring.

Oncology in and around Tokyo

About Tokyo

Tokyo is Japan’s capital. It is one of the 47 prefectures of the country. There are over 13.9 million people estimated to live there. The capital is a giant metropolis that offers tourists the chance to indulge in the traditional Japanese culture, eat in one of its delicious restaurants, or learn more about modern life. One of the most popular sights in Tokyo is the cherry blossoms that fill the streets and parks with pink petals in Spring. The soft pink petals are an icon of the country.

Among the 30 million people who traveled to Japan in 2018 are medical tourists. With a vast range of high-quality medical services and facilities, Tokyo has a large contribution to the country’s growing medical tourism. it has numerous public and private hospitals that offer outstanding healthcare. These hospitals are equipped with cutting-edge medical technology and highly qualified doctors. Many doctors and medical professionals speak fluent English.

As Japan was ranked the highest in five-year survival rates of lung cancer and esophagus cancer patients from 2010 to 2014, the most sought-after medical procedure is Tokyo oncology treatments. There are many medical facilities in the area that are JCI-accredited and offers a wide range of treatments including Breast Augmentation procedures.

Popular Areas in Tokyo

Tokyo is sprawling with many extraordinary attractions and sights. It is the perfect mixture of traditional and modern. From temples, shrines, futuristic infrastructure, robot restaurants, booming nightlife, nature to anime, all coexist peacefully here.

To see a beautiful city view, climb up the Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and Tokyo Tower. Visit Tokyo’s oldest temple, Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, and learn more about the history and traditions. The temple is surrounded by numbers of Japanese restaurants that serve authentic dishes including Sushi, Tempura, and Sukiyaki. Tourists can also try a variety of traditional activities like wearing a Kimono dress.

Not far from Asakusa is Ueno, where one of the biggest parks in Tokyo is located. Ueno Park is the perfect place to spend a beautiful day. The park consists of a zoo, museums, historical monument, and green spaces. To try out Tokyo’s futuristic and modern side, come to the first digital art museum in the world, MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM — teamLab Borderless. Experience a unique interactive art with the latest technology and immerse in multiple digital art exhibitions.

Shopping is also one of the main attractions in Tokyo. Tourists most favorite places to shop are Ginza, Nakamise Shopping Street, as well as Takeshita Street and Omotesando in Harajuku. For anime or Disney fans, attractions such as Ghibli Museum, Fujiko F Fujio Museum, Pokemon Center, Tokyo One Piece Tower, Nakano Broadway, Akihabara, Tokyo Disneyland, and Tokyo Disney Sea are some of the best places to visit.

Weather and Climate in Tokyo

Tokyo is a year-round destination because it has temperate weather with four distinct seasons.

• Summer is hot and humid with an average temperature of 21 to 32 °C. Sometimes it can get as high as 40 °C. this season starts in June and ends in August. June sees a lot of rainfall while August is the start of typhoon season.
• Autumn lasts from September to November. The typhoon season peaks in November. The weather during this season is mild with less humidity. It is pleasantly warm in October, making it one of the best times to travel in Tokyo.
• Winter comes in December and lasts until February. The weather is dry and sunny with an average temperature of around 2 °C to 12 °C. The temperature rarely drops below 0 °C. There is very little snow in Tokyo.
• Spring starts in March to May. The temperature increases gradually during this season, with an average of 13 °C in the afternoon and 5 °C in the morning and evening. The sky is mostly clear during this season and it is also one of the best times to visit Japan because of the cherry blossoms.

Getting Around in Tokyo

Located around 60km east of central Tokyo, Narita International Airport is the main international gateway to Tokyo. The airport serves both domestic and international flights to almost every major city in the world. Budget airlines such as Jetstar Japan, Peach, and Eastar Jet operates flights from this airport.

Rail, bus, taxi, or car rental are available for tourists to reach the city center from Narita Airport. There are several train types to choose from. The Main Line (regular commuter train) in Keisei Line is the most affordable one, it costs around ¥1,190 to ¥1,230 ($10 to $11.3) and it connects with the Toei Asakusa Subway Line and the Yamanote Line. For faster travel, choose the Skyliner train that takes only 36 minutes to Nippori. This train costs around ¥2,470 ($22.7). There is another train known as the Sky Access Express train that offers better access to Tokyo. A trip to Asakusa takes about 58 minutes and costs around ¥1,290 ($11.9).

A taxi might not be the best option since it’s very expensive, it usually costs over ¥20,000 ($184) from Narita Airport to Tokyo. The more affordable option is the shared minibus which cost ¥6,180 ($57) per person. Buses are comfortable, the Limousine Bus costs around ¥2,880 ($26.5) and the Tokyo Shuttle costs around ¥900 ($8) to ¥1,000 ($9).

Tokyo is served by one of the best public transport systems in the world. Trains and subways are the best way to get around the city. It is the cheapest and fastest mode of transportation. Taxis are easily available and can be hailed on the street except in areas like Ginza, where taxis are only allowed to stop in taxi stands. The base fare is ¥430 ($4) for the first 1.5 km and ¥80 ($0.7) for every 237 meters.

Tourist Visas in Tokyo

Japan allows citizens of 68 countries and territories to stay in the country for up to 90 days. Citizens of Indonesia, Brunei, and Thailand are granted a 15-day visa-free trip. The country has a visa for a medical stay that grants long-term stays to medical tourists and approval for visa holders to travel back and forth between their home countries and Japan. Foreign visitors who visit Japan on tourist visas can also receive medical services, except for long-term therapies and surgeries that require more than three months.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the Japanese Yen (¥). There is around ¥111 per $1.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are widely available and can be found in post offices or convenient stores (especially 7-Eleven). Credit cards are accepted in some hotels, restaurants, and shops but it is advisable to always bring cash. Tipping is optional.
3. Local Language: Japanese is the official language. Most people speak limited English but many restaurant menus and signs are written in both Japanese and English.
4. Local Culture and Religion: The main religion is Shintoism and Buddhism. There is a small group of Christians in the city.
5. Public Holidays: There are sixteen major public holidays in Japan. The city hosts annual festivals including Fuji Matsuri, Hinode Matsuri, and Tenno Matsuri.