Greetings

Greetings - Creating the Future of Medicine

At Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Professor Emeritus Takamasa Kayama (then Dean of the Faculty of Medicine) planned the construction of a carbon ion radiotherapy facility in 2004, and since obtaining the government budget in 2015, the system has been developed step by step. In February 2021, we started carbon ion radiotherapy for prostate cancer, and since then we have steadily accumulated the number of patients, completing treatment for 662 patients in FY2023, exceeding our annual target of 600.
Three years have passed since the start of irradiation, and the cumulative number of treatment cases has exceeded 1,500. This is due not only to the efforts of medical personnel, but also to the support and understanding of related government agencies, Yamagata Prefecture, Yamagata City and other local municipalities, and numerous local companies and individuals.
In FY2024, in addition to the previously covered diseases, early-stage lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix measuring 6 cm or larger, and malignant melanoma in the gynecological field were newly covered by national health insurance system. It is the great mission of Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine to contribute to the creation of future medical care by taking advantage of this magnificent device, the only one of its kind in Tohoku and Hokkaido. We will continue to provide treatment with sincerity, never forgetting our sense of gratitude and the weight of our responsibility. I would like to ask for your continued understanding and support.

The Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine East Japan Heavy Ion Center began treating prostate cancer in February 2021 as the only carbon-ion radiotherapy facility in northern Japan. Since then, the center has gradually expanded the scope of treatment, and since October 2022, it has provided carbon-ion radiotherapy for all diseases except eye tumors. The center is directly connected to the University Hospital by a liaison bridge, allowing us to fully utilize the medical resources of the general hospital. We are the only carbon-ion radiotherapy facility in the world that has both of these features, and we are highly evaluated by patients and medical professionals alike. We strongly hope that cancer patients not only in our home prefecture of Yamagata, but also in Tohoku, Niigata, and Hokkaido, and around the world who need this treatment will continue to use the East Japan Heavy Ion Center.

Greetings -Always the Best Carbon-ion Radiotherapy-

Carbon-ion radiotherapy is a highly dose-intensive modality that has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of diseases that are refractory to radiotherapy. By leveraging these characteristics, carbon-ion radiotherapy can serve as a last hope for conditions for which surgery and radiotherapy are contraindicated. In addition, it may offer a more favorable treatment with fewer side effects, if the treatment outcome is comparable to other modalities. In recent years, the efficacy of carbon-ion radiotherapy has been increasingly acknowledged, leading to its inclusion in public insurance coverage for numerous diseases.
Japan is the global leader in the field of carbon-ion radiotherapy. Thanks to the efforts of many people, Yamagata University was able to establish the East Japan Heavy Ion Center, which has the latest carbon-ion radiotherapy equipment with a rotating gantry and scanning irradiation. We started treatment in 2021 and have been able to provide smooth treatment to many patients referred to us so far. We will continue to pursue the best carbon-ion radiotherapy without being satisfied with the status quo, and we will make a sincere effort to provide it to our patients. We look forward to your continued guidance and support.