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Delay in the time to treatment initiation (TTI) may adversely affect the survival of patients, but its current status in Japan is unknown. This study aims to describe the TTI for six cancer types: lung, breast, colorectal, stomach, head and neck (HN), and cervical. Data for this study were derived from a nationwide registry in Japan.This observational study employed the national database of hospital-based cancer registries (HBCRs) and health services utilization data. Using HBCR data, we identified all patients with cancer who started their cancer therapy at the same hospitals between January 1 and December 31, 2017. We calculated the TTI for each cancer type and treatment option, stratifying the results by age group and geographical region.The overall median TTI was 33 days, with shorter TTIs for colorectal and HN cancers and chemotherapy. The TTI was the shortest for younger patients and the longest for the elderly, especially for lung cancer. When categorized by eight Japanese geographical regions, Tohoku and Kanto had the longest TTI. The result remained the same even after adjusting cancer type, treatment, age, and stage information.For colorectal and HN cancers, in which a longer TTI is associated with a poorer prognosis, TTI was found to be particularly shorter. Although we could not discuss our results in light of the patient survival in this study, future research should explore the best balance between thorough evaluation before treatment and necessary time for that.

Background Information on rare hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HBP) subtypes of cancer is scarce. We aimed to elucidate the incidence and clinical features of rare tumors in Japan using the National Cancer Registry (NCR), a new nationwide integrated population-based registry. Methods The data of patients diagnosed in 2016–2017 were extracted from the NCR database, and classified by topography: liver cells, intrahepatic bile duct, gallbladder, extrahepatic bile duct, ampulla of Vater, and pancreas. Data were described and analyzed using the World Health Organization and General Rules tumor classifications. The incidences for all rare tumors including hepatoblastoma and adenosquamous cell carcinoma were calculated as the number of new cases divided by the corresponding total person years. Results The NCR data yielded 8,239 patients with rare HBP tumors between 2016 and 2017. The ratios of rare tumors to all cancer types were 0.5%, 0.7%, 3.9%, 1.6%, 0.8%, and 7.2% in the liver, intrahepatic bile duct, gallbladder, extrahepatic bile duct, ampulla of Vater, and pancreas, respectively. Rare tumors occurred more frequently in men, except for gallbladder tumors. The main tumor stage was localized in liver cells (42.4%) and the intrahepatic bile duct (51.6%); more patients were diagnosed in advanced stage with gallbladder (84.1%) and extrahepatic bile duct (74.4%) tumors. Approximately equal percentage of patients were diagnosed at designated cancer care hospitals (DCCHs) and non-DCCHs, whereas 60% to 70% patients received treatment at DCCHs. Conclusion This is the first report to provide comprehensive information on the epidemiological status of rare HBP tumors in Japan by utilizing population-based NCR data.

抽象 北京話去聲連讀存在前去變成升調的社會變體，對於這種變體的成因，學界的看法不盡相同。本文用個案語音和文本分析的方法對北京話連去變調與詞重音之間的關係進行了研究。首先通過聲學測量和兩個聽辨實驗確定了變調樣本的重音格式，發現前去能夠變為升調的兩字組基本上都是聽感上的後重型。然後通過與若干輕音詞表的對比確認發生前去變調的雙音節詞在北京口語中不存在前重式。文章分析了北京話中兩種去聲變調格式——前去變為升調和後去變為低降調——的形成原因以及詞重音對變調格式的作用。作者認為，連去組合中的兩種變調格式實質上都是在重音保留本調原則、重讀音節同化非重讀音節原則和減少曲折原則的基礎上，相鄰音節音高同化作用的結果，同時，去聲連讀中的順向同化和逆向同化作用間接也說明了北京話的雙音節詞存在前重和後重兩種重音模式。

Appropriate cardiac function evaluation before trastuzumab therapy is recommended. However, there are no data that show the current practice of appropriate cardiac evaluation for patients receiving postsurgical adjuvant trastuzumab (adjuvant group) and patients with metastatic disease (metastatic group).We assessed patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer who received trastuzumab between October 2011 and December 2016 using the national database of the Hospital-Based Cancer Registry. We defined appropriate cardiac function checkup as having ultrasound echocardiogram (UCG) before the start of trastuzumab as well as within 6 months after trastuzumab initiation for the adjuvant group, and having UCG before trastuzumab for the metastatic group.In the adjuvant group (14,501 patients), 34.7% of patients received appropriate UCG checkup. Factors related to appropriate UCG were 65 years or older (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.41-1.69), advanced stage (stage II OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.07-1.30, stage III OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.96-1.23 compared to stage I), and surgical department (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.47-0.70). In the metastatic group (1734 patients), appropriate UCG checkup was performed in 72.1% of the patients. Factors associated with appropriate UCG included 65 years or older (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.10-1.91) and anthracycline use before trastuzumab (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.44-0.80). UCG checkup rate improved from 2012 to 2015 in both the adjuvant and metastatic groups.Although many patients still received suboptimal UCG checkup, it has been improving over time. The level of appropriate UCG checkup was different between physicians with different specialties.

To address the major issue of regional disparity in the treatment for elderly cancer patients in an aging society, we compared the treatment strategies used for elderly patients with thoracic esophageal cancer and their survival outcomes in metropolitan areas and other regions. Using the national database of hospital‐based cancer registries in 2008‐2011, patients aged 75 years or older who had been diagnosed with thoracic esophageal cancer were enrolled. We divided the patients into two groups: those treated in metropolitan areas (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Osaka, Aichi, Saitama, and Chiba prefectures) with populations of 6 million or more and those treated in other areas (the other 41 prefectures). Compared were patient backgrounds, treatment strategies, and survival curves at each cancer stage. In total, 1236 (24%) patients from metropolitan areas and 3830 (76%) patients from nonmetropolitan areas were enrolled. Patients in metropolitan areas were treated at more advanced stages. There was also a difference in treatment strategy. The 3‐year survival rate among cStage I patients was better in metropolitan areas (71.6% vs. 63.7%), and this finding mainly reflected the survival difference between patients treated with radiotherapy alone. For cStage II‐IV patients, there were no differences. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis including interaction terms between treatment areas, cStage, and the first‐line treatments revealed that treatments in the metropolitan areas were significantly associated with better survival among patients treated with radiotherapy alone for cStage I cancer. Treatment strategies for elderly patients with thoracic esophageal cancer and its survival outcomes differed between metropolitan areas and other regions., We compared the treatment strategies used for elderly patients with thoracic esophageal cancer and their survival outcomes in metropolitan areas and other regions. The 3‐year survival rate among cStage I patients was better in metropolitan areas (71.6% vs. 63.7%), and this finding mainly reflected the survival difference between patients treated with radiotherapy alone. Treatment strategies for elderly patients with thoracic esophageal cancer and its survival outcomes differed between metropolitan areas and other regions.

Background To elucidate the experience of patients with cancer from diagnosis to early survivorship in Japan using a nationwide questionnaire survey, and to inform the current progress of the cancer control programs. Methods The survey was sent to a representative sample of adult patients with cancer identified from the national database of hospital-based cancer registries. The patients’ responses were compared across three groups: patients with rare cancers, patients aged Results Of 20,488 patients invited to participate in the survey, 8935 (43.6%) responded. Respondents reported an average score of 7.9 out of 10 on global ratings of care. Patients with rare cancers experienced a longer time to diagnosis but the shortest time from diagnosis to first treatment (p Conclusion The care experienced by patients with cancer in Japan varies on the basis of age group and cancer type. Efforts should be directed to ensuring prompt access to diagnostic facilities for patients with rare cancers and providing sufficient support to younger patients.

BACKGROUND Chronic pancreatitis occasionally requires surgical treatment that can be performed with various techniques. Often, this type of surgery presents with postoperative complications. We report a case of a successful retrograde pancreatojejunostomy for chronic pancreatitis and infected pancreatic cysts. CASE SUMMARY A 62-year-old male with a 10-year history of chronic pancreatitis presented with epigastric pain for one week and a 20 kg weight loss over one year. Computed tomography showed stones in the pancreas (mainly the head), expansion of the main pancreatic duct, and thinning of the pancreatic parenchyma. Magnetic resonance imaging showed infected pancreatic cysts connected to the stomach with a fistula from the splenic hilum to the caudal portion of the liver’s lateral segment. An endoscopic retrograde pancreatography was performed; the guide wires could not pass through the stones in the pancreas and therefore, drainage of the main pancreatic duct was not achieved. Next, a distal pancreatomy and splenectomy were performed; however, the pancreatic juice in the remaining parenchyma was blocked by the stones. Hence, we performed a retrograde pancreatojejunostomy and Roux-en-Y anastomosis. The patient had no postoperative complications and was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 14. CONCLUSION A distal pancreatomy, retrograde pancreatojejunostomy, and Roux-en-Y anastomosis could be an effective surgical procedure for intractable chronic pancreatitis.

Background Schwannoma of the pancreas is extremely rare. We report a case of pancreatic schwannoma that was difficult to distinguish from pancreatic carcinoma before surgery. Case summary A 66-year-old male underwent a right-lobe hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Post-surgical computed tomography showed a 10 mm long solid mass with ischemia, with no expansion into the main pancreatic duct. Upon magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, the tumor had high signal intensity in diffusion weighted images, consistent with pancreatic carcinoma. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) was performed to obtain more information about the tumor, and showed a 14 mm solid and hypoechoic mass in the pancreatic body. Contrast enhanced EUS revealed that the tumor showed a hyperechoic mass in the early phase, and the contrasting effect continuation was very short; findings also consistent with pancreatic carcinoma. Thus, we preoperatively diagnosed his condition as a pancreatic carcinoma and performed distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy. Microscopic examination showed that the tumor was in fact a benign schwannoma. Histology showed a proliferation of spindle-shaped cell in a vague fascicular and haphazard pattern, with palisading arrangement. Conclusion Schwannoma of the pancreas is very rare, however, clinicians should consider schwannoma as the differential diagnosis for pancreatic tumors.

OBJECTIVE To examine the discrepancy between clinical and pathological T stages in patients with urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract treated with radical surgery, and to compare them with the corresponding discrepancy in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. METHODS We used the Hospital-Based Cancer Registry data in Japan to extract urothelial carcinoma of the bladder cases (n = 3747) and urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract cases (n = 6831), including urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis (n = 3295) and urothelial carcinoma of the ureter (n = 3536) with cT1-4N0M0 diagnosed in 2012-2015, histologically confirmed, and treated with radical surgery without chemotherapy or radiotherapy. We compared the T-stage discrepancy among different tumor locations. RESULTS The proportions of overall T-stage discrepancy in the urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis (40.8%) and urothelial carcinoma of the ureter (42.9%) groups tended to be higher compared with that in the urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (38.8%) group. The upstaging rate from clinical non-muscle-invasive cancer (≤cT1) to pathological muscle-invasive cancer (≥pT2) was significantly higher in the urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis and urothelial carcinoma of the ureter groups compared with the urothelial carcinoma of the bladder group (P = 0.002, P

Background Hospital-based cancer registries were developed to describe and improve clinical care for cancer patients. We described the hospital-based cancer registry coverage as a reference for the users, including researchers, policymakers and clinicians. Methods The hospital-based cancer registry coverage was defined as the proportion of new cases registered in the hospital-based cancer registry to the National Cancer Registry as the denominator. To examine the coverage of respective cancer types, age groups and prefecture in the hospital-based cancer registry, cases were grouped based on the 10th International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems and were compared with the published report of the National Cancer Registry in 2017. Results The overall hospital-based cancer registries coverage was 71.7%, and 52.5% of patients were treated at designated cancer care hospitals. The hospital-based cancer registries coverage and treatment rates at designated cancer care hospitals varied per cancer type, age group, and prefecture. The hospital-based cancer registries covered over 80% of the patients with cancers of the larynx, uterus, oesophagus, lip, oral cavity, pharynx and skin, whereas patients’ coverage with thyroid cancer was relatively low. The hospital-based cancer registry coverage of young patients (80%, whereas that for elderly patients (≥85 years) was Conclusions The hospital-based cancer registry coverage is ~70% of all cancers. Because the coverage differed across cancers and age groups, the respective target groups’ analysis should consider this factor.

The survival of hemodialysis (HD) patients with cancer is poor, which may be caused by undertreatment due to renal dysfunction. Particularly, adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery may be considered optional because of its preventive nature. This study investigated the current frequency of administration of adjuvant chemotherapy to HD patients compared with non-HD patients in Japan.We used data from the Hospital-Based Cancer Registries national database linked to health services utilization data to analyze cases of newly diagnosed colon cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at the stages where adjuvant chemotherapy is generally required. We compared the performance rate of adjuvant chemotherapy and the adjuvant chemotherapy regimens between HD and non-HD patients from October 2011 to December 2017.Of the 99,761 patients who underwent curative surgery, 1207 (1%) were HD patients. HD patients received adjuvant chemotherapy less frequently than non-HD patients (24% vs. 63%, p 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, HD remained negatively related to adjuvant chemotherapy administration for all four cancer types. Among all patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy 0(N = 61,873), HD patients were less likely to receive standard regimens and chemotherapy requiring dose adjustment than non-HD patients (88% vs. 95%, p 0.001 and 92% vs. 98%, p 0.001, respectively). This trend was particularly pronounced among patients with gastric cancer.HD patients were less likely to receive adjuvant chemotherapy with standard regimens than non-HD patients.

Background: Quality indicators (QIs) are an accepted tool for measuring a hospital’s performance in routine care. We examined national trends in adherence to the QIs developed by the Close The Gap-Stroke program by combining data from the health insurance claims database and electronic medical records, and the association between adherence to these QIs and early outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke in Japan. Methods: In the present study, patients with acute ischemic stroke who received acute reperfusion therapy in 351 Close The Gap-Stroke-participating hospitals were analyzed retrospectively. The primary outcomes were changes in trends for adherence to the defined QIs by difference-in-difference analysis and the effects of adherence to distinct QIs on in-hospital outcomes at the individual level. A mixed logistic regression model was adjusted for patient and hospital characteristics (eg, age, sex, number of beds) and hospital units as random effects. Results: Between 2013 and 2017, 21 651 patients (median age, 77 years; 43.0% female) were assessed. Of the 25 defined measures, marked and sustainable improvement in the adherence rates was observed for door-to-needle time, door-to-puncture time, proper use of endovascular thrombectomy, and successful revascularization. The in-hospital mortality rate was 11.6%. Adherence to 14 QIs lowered the odds of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [95% CI], door-to-needle Conclusions: We demonstrated national marked and sustainable improvement in adherence to door-to-needle time, door-to-puncture time, and successful reperfusion from 2013 to 2017 in Japan in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Adhering to the key QIs substantially affected in-hospital outcomes, underlining the importance of monitoring the quality of care using evidence-based QIs and the nationwide Close The Gap-Stroke program.

Background There is significant concern that cancer care is adversely impacted due to the coronavirus disease pandemic. Using the national database, we document the impact of the pandemic on cancer diagnosis in Japan. Methods Data from 735 hospital-based cancer registries, covering >70% of newly diagnosed cases, were analysed. We compared trends during 2016–2019 and those in 2020 by the type of cancer, diagnostic process, stage and 13 prefectures as requiring special precautions to prevent the spread of infection. Results Overall, the number of patients who began treatment decreased by 1.9% in 2020 as compared with the average number during 2016–2019. A sharp decline of 13.8% was observed for stomach cases. The decline in cases (22.0% decrease for all cancers) was more pronounced in May. Cancer screening and resulting detection decreased significantly in 2020 (8.1–24.3%). Case registrations of stage I and II gastric cancer, stage II intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, stage II oesophageal cancer, stage 0 and I laryngeal cancer and stage II gallbladder cancer decreased by >10% compared with those in 2018 and 2019. The trends in cancer cases by area of residence indicated a decline in 13 prefectures in May 2020 compared with other areas. Conclusions The number of cancer diagnoses decreased during the year 2020 under coronavirus pandemic, especially right after the Japanese government declared the first state of emergency in April. We need to carefully observe the consequences of these decrease in diagnosis, or perhaps the delay in care, on patient survival or population mortality.

BACKGROUND In Japan there is no consensus on how to efficiently measure quality indicators (QIs), defined as a standard of care, for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Using information from a health insurance claims database and electronic medical records, we evaluated the feasibility and validity of measuring QIs for AIS patients who received intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV rt-PA) or endovascular therapy (EVT).Methods and Results:AIS patients receiving rt-PA or EVT between 2013 and 2015 were identified. We selected 17 AIS QI measures for primary stroke centers (PSCs) and 8 for comprehensive stroke centers (CSCs). Defined QIs were calculated for each hospital and then averaged. In total, the data of 8,206 patients (rt-PA 83.7%, EVT 34.9%) from 172 hospitals were obtained. Median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score at admission was 14, and 37.7% of the patients were functionally independent at discharge. All target QIs were successfully measured with fewer missing values, and the accuracy of preset data was about 90%. Adherence rates were low (

Background Intra-abdominal desmoid-type fibromatosis (DF) rarely necessitates emergency surgery. However, the condition is difficult to diagnose preoperatively and can become life-threatening if left untreated. Case report A 46-year-old man complained of fever and right lower quadrant pain. In computed tomography, the mesenteric side of the ascending colon demonstrated air and fluid collections, suggesting diverticulitis with abscess. After 2 weeks of conservative treatment with fasting, the patient started to consume food; nonetheless, fever returned. Colonoscopy and contrast enema detected a fistula extending from the ascending colon to the abscess, with no surrounding lesions. Surgery was then performed because the abscess was refractory. During laparotomy, the scar tissue of the abscess was found to be attached to the lateral wall of the ascending colon. Hence, right colectomy combined with abscess resection was performed. Histopathological findings revealed DF in the mesentery. Conclusion Although rare, DF should be included in the preoperative differential diagnosis of intra-abdominal abscesses.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether esophagectomy provides a survival advantage in octogenarians with resectable thoracic esophageal cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Elderly patients with thoracic esophageal cancer do not always receive the full standard treatment; however, advanced age alone should not preclude the use of effective treatment that could meaningfully improve survival. METHODS We retrieved the 2008-2011 data from the National Database of Hospital-based Cancer Registries from the National Cancer Center in Japan, divided the patients into a ≥75 group (75-79 years; n = 2,935) and a ≥80 group (80 years or older; n = 2,131), and then compared the patient backgrounds and survival curves. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was developed to compare the effects of esophagectomy and chemoradiotherapy in the two groups. RESULTS A significantly greater percentage of patients were treated with esophagectomy in the ≥75 group (34.6%) than the ≥80 group (18.4%). Among patients who received esophagectomy, the 3-year survival rate was 51.1% in the ≥75 group and 39.0% in the ≥80 group (P < 0.001). However, among patients who received chemoradiotherapy, there was no difference in survival curve between the two groups (P = 0.17). Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that esophagectomy for clinical Stage II-III patients was significantly associated to better survival (adjusted HR: 0.731) (95%CI: 0.645-0.829, p < 0.001) in the ≥75 group but not the ≥80 group when compared with CRT. CONCLUSIONS Many octogenarians do not necessarily get a survival benefit from esophagectomy. However, patients should be evaluated based on their overall health before ruling out surgery based on age alone.

OBJECTIVES To identify the prognosis of patients with non-urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract and compare it with that of patients with urothelial carcinoma. METHODS We used hospital-based cancer registry data in Japan to extract histologically confirmed non-urothelial carcinoma and urothelial carcinoma cases of the upper urinary tract diagnosed in 2008-2009. We estimated the 5-year overall survival by a Kaplan-Meier analysis. The Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to evaluate prognostic factors. RESULTS A total of 2567 upper urinary tract cancer patients with confirmed histological subtypes were identified. The most common histology of non-urothelial carcinoma was squamous cell carcinoma (n = 88, 3.4%) followed by adenocarcinoma (n = 33, 1.3%) and small cell carcinoma (n = 10, 0.4%). The proportion of advanced stage in the squamous cell carcinoma patients was significantly higher than that in the urothelial carcinoma patients (P = 0.003). In stage IV, the proportion of patients who received a combination of surgery + chemotherapy in the urothelial carcinoma group was higher than that in the non-urothelial carcinoma group (34% vs 16%, respectively). The 5-year overall survival rates of the non-urothelial carcinoma patients at stages I-III and stage IV were significantly worse than those of the urothelial carcinoma patients (P = 0.003, P

Background The incidence of male breast cancer (MBC), although rare, has shown an increase. However, the current epidemiology of and practice patterns for MBC remain unclear. This study evaluated the characteristics and care patterns for MBC compared with female breast cancer (FBC) in Japan. Methods Using the National Database of Hospital‐Based Cancer Registries (HBCR) linked to the Diagnosis Procedure Combination data, we analyzed newly diagnosed breast cancer cases between January 2012 and December 2015 at participating hospitals in a large quality‐of‐care monitoring project. We employed logistic regression models to assess cancer treatment differences between MBC and FBC in patients who were indicated for adjuvant radiation therapy and neo‐adjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy. Results Of 142,636 breast cancer patients, 870 (0.61%) were MBC patients. At diagnosis, the mean age of MBC patients was 10 years older than FBC patients (70 vs 60 years; P, Male breast cancer was rare cancer and diagnosed with more advanced stage than female breast cancer. However, male breast cancer patients were received suboptimal adjuvant therapy, including radiation and chemotherapy despite of guidelines which recommend the same indication and regimen to both male and female breast cancer.

This review introduces the definition, epidemiology and therapeutic challenges of rare cancers and describes the establishment of the Rare Cancer Center at the National Cancer Center, Japan. Rare cancers are defined as malignant tumors with an incidence rate of less than 6 cases per 100 000 individuals. Due to their low incidence rate, medical treatment for rare cancers is more challenging than for more common cancer types. Specifically, 190 types of cancers, including bone and soft tissue sarcomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), neuroendocrine tumors and gliomas, are classified as rare cancers. Individually, each of the rare cancers accounts for less than 1% of all cancers, but collectively they account for 15% of all cancers. On the basis of their medical management, rare cancers can be subclassified into two types: Type I (rare cancers within cancer-rare organs) and Type II (rare cancers within cancer-common organs). Most importantly, the outcomes for rare cancers are poorer compared to those of common cancers. In 2014, the Rare Cancer Center was established at the National Cancer Center to address the various challenges related to rare cancers. The Rare Cancer Center has adopted a multifaceted approach for overcoming these challenges, including active sharing of information through a dedicated website and an online seminar series ‘Rare Cancer Meet the Expert’, providing medical support through telephone consultations via a ‘Rare Cancer Hotline’, supporting basic research and establishing the ‘MASTER KEY Project’ aimed at developing new treatments.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with penile cancer in Japan using the nationwide hospital-based cancer registry database. METHODS Using hospital-based cancer registry data, we described the distribution of age, pathology, tumor-node-metastases classification, and first-course treatment in patients treated between 2012 and 2015. We compared the patterns of first-line treatment between elderly and non-elderly patients. RESULTS A total of 1012 patients were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma among 1773 patients with penile tumors who registered under topography code C60. The median age at diagnosis was 74 years, and 85.9% of patients were aged >60 years. The most common pathology was usual-type squamous cell carcinoma (91.9%), followed by verrucous carcinoma (5.0%), sarcomatoid carcinoma (1.1%), papillary carcinoma (0.7%), basaloid carcinoma (0.6%), adenosquamous carcinoma (0.4%), warty carcinoma (0.2%) and mixed carcinoma (0.1%). A total of 61.3% of patients were diagnosed with localized disease. In contrast, the proportions of patients with lymph node and distant metastases were 27.5% and 2.1% at diagnosis, respectively. The proportion of patients who were treated with chemotherapy as the first-course treatment was significantly lower among elderly patients (≥80 years) with clinical stage III (27.6% vs 7.1%, P = 0.0312) and clinical stage IV (53.2% vs 14.3%, P = 0.0086). CONCLUSIONS Most penile cancer patients in Japan are diagnosed with usual-type squamous cell carcinoma, and those with human papilloma virus-related squamous cell carcinomas are

Older patients tend to have comorbidities and physiological decline, which require adaptation in terms of standard treatment. Therefore, the care of older patients poses a unique challenge for healthcare providers. Their standard care is relatively less established than for younger patients because older patients are often excluded from clinical trials, resulting in limited representation. This review, using various data sources, such as cancer registries and national statistics, aims to describe the nationwide status of older patients in Japan and the care provided to them. Incidence statistics have revealed that each age group’s most common types of cancers are different. Relevant data have also shown that older patients are more likely to be left without treatment compared with their younger counterparts, although the extent of such differences tends to depend on the cancer type. A survey of the general population has shown that older patients are more likely to be treated for common diseases; however, they are found to have undetected diseases when screened for the common diseases. Individuals’ life expectancies may vary depending on their physical conditions. The social lives of older persons, which often revolve around their jobs and family structures, vary widely. Thus, clinicians and caregivers should consider the background information of older patients in order to accommodate their special needs.

Under the recent trend of an increasing number of cancer survivors, there is a need to devise measures for visualization of medical care and public health programs related to cancer control, which will enable better overview of the activities at hospitals and local communities and allow various stakeholders to share the information about such activities. The aim of this study was to propose a new tool for proper implementation of cancer information and support programs provided under the national cancer control policy in Japan. Considering 5 elements reported by Handler et al (macro context, mission, structural capacity, processes, and outcomes), we conducted the focus group discussions to confirm the goals of activities of Cancer Information and Support Centers. Eventually, 2 final goals (“reduction in the number of patients/families having difficulties related to cancer” and “being able to live at ease even after diagnosis of cancer”) were identified, accompanied by 5 semifinal goals and 16 prerequisite conditions needed to achieve the final goals, as well as the necessary states and the activity indicators corresponding to them. This tool was utilized by 180 (42.7%) of 422 cancer care hospitals designated by the government of Japan (designated cancer care hospitals [DCCHs]) in 2016 and by 336 (77.1%) of 436 DCCHs in 2018, which were the data at 6 months and 3 years after introduction of the tool, respectively. Thus, the tool for evaluating the Cancer Information and Support Centers' activity presented here is expected to stimulate the stakeholders involved in providing supports in various fields of each local community, to share the final goals, to evaluate the status of their achievement, and to further advance their own activities.

Background It will be important for the Japan Esophageal Society (JES) to show an evident advantage of its institution certification system. To achieve this essential task, we used nationally acquired big data to re-analyze 5-year survival information. Methods In 2008–2009, there were 4897 thoracic esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy and were registered in the National Database of Hospital-based Cancer Registries. We divided these patients into two groups, those who underwent surgery at an Authorized Institute for Board Certified Esophageal Surgeons (AIBCES) or a Non-AIBCES. We then compared the patient backgrounds and 5-year survival rates between these two groups, with and without propensity score matching. Results There were 3080 (63%) patients who underwent esophagectomy at an AIBCES and 1817 (37%) who underwent surgery at a Non-AIBCES. Comparison of the Kaplan–Meier survival curves using log-rank tests indicated a significant difference between the AIBCES and Non-AIBCES groups at all cStages (cStages I–IV). Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis stratified by clinical stage and adjuvant treatment revealed that AIBCES vs. Non-AIBCES is a significant independent factor (adjusted HR 0.78) for survival. After propensity score matching ensuring the backgrounds of the two groups being equivalent, there were significant differences in the 5-year survival rates for patients with cStages I–III disease between the AIBCES and Non-AIBCES groups. Conclusions There is a survival advantage to undergoing esophagectomy at an AIBCES. The institute certification system from the JES will contribute to the future establishment of a more appropriate surgery delivery system for thoracic esophageal cancer.

Introduction Thymic epithelial tumors are a rare type of neoplasm. Accordingly, it is difficult to perform phase III trials in patients with thymic epithelial tumors, and thus, no standard treatment has been established for these tumors. In this study, we aimed to investigate the current status of thymic epithelial tumor treatment in Japan. Methods This retrospective observational study enrolled patients with thymic epithelial tumor whose data were recorded in a nationwide Hospital-based Cancer Registry that was linked with health insurance claims data for the registered patients between 2012 and 2014. The patients’ treatment details were obtained from a health insurance claims database. Results A total of 813 patients with thymoma and 547 with thymic carcinoma were included in the analysis. Overall, 549 (67.5%) thymoma patients underwent surgical resection alone. Among patients with thymic carcinoma, 230 (42.0%) underwent initial surgery, and 124 (53.9%) received subsequent radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy regimens varied across the hospitals; overall, 21 and 22 regimens were used to treat thymoma and thymic carcinoma, respectively. Platinum-based combination regimens were predominantly selected for both diseases. Conclusions This study revealed the real-world patterns of thymic epithelial tumor treatment in Japan. Although the nature of this study did not enable the determination of optimal treatment strategies, the simultaneous analysis of nationwide registry, insurance, efficacy and prognostic data may contribute to the establishment of a standard treatment strategy for rarely occurring cancers such as thymic epithelial tumor., This study revealed the real-world patterns of thymic epithelial tumor treatment in Japan based on data from an Hospital-based Cancer Registry and a health insurance claims database.