1.A case of unresectable advanced gastric cancer treated with palliative radiation therapy twice for the purpose of hemostasis
Masayuki Nakanowatari ; Suzuko Ozaki ; Takashi Fukuhara ; Michio Iida ; Jiro Honma ; Yuhei Otoguro ; Keishiro Suzuki
Palliative Care Research 2013;8(2):538-543
Case: We report the case of a female in her sixties with inoperable gastric cancer in which continuous bleeding from the cancer resulted in severe anemia and the need for frequent repetitive blood transfusions. In order to control the hemorrhage, radiation therapy of 30 Gy/10 fractions to the cancer was conducted. Her tarry stool soon stopped, her hemoglobin level increased and transfusion became unnecessary. One month later, gastric rebleeding derived from the marginal area of the radiation field occurred. Additional radiation therapy of 24 Gy/8 fractions was given and successful hemostasis was obtained. The patient has been well without transfusion for four months. Conclusion: It is difficult to control bleeding from advanced gastric cancer if the tumor cannot be resected. Endoscopic hemostasis is not always applicable. Interventional radiotherapy (IVR) can be indicated for arterial bleeding. However, the indication of this treatment is controversial in cases of continuous venous bleeding, as seen in our case. Successful hemostasis by radiation therapy was obtained without severe complications in our case. Therefore, it is conceivable that radiation therapy to resistant venous bleeding from unresectable advanced gastric cancer upon careful consideration of complications is a useful treatment modality.
2.Challenges in the conduct of clinical research
Yasuji ARIMURA ; Toshihiko NISHIDA ; Maya MINAMI ; Yoko YOKOYAMA ; Hiroki MISHINA ; Shin YAMAZAKI ; Tatsuro ISHIZAKI ; Koji KAWAKAMI ; Takeo NAKAYAMA ; Yuichi IMANAKA ; Takashi KAWAMURA ; Shunichi FUKUHARA
Medical Education 2010;41(4):259-265
The promotion of clinical research in Japan requires the establishment of a formal and systematic education and training program for clinicians to ensure they become effective clinician investigators. The first of its kind in Japan, a formal 1-year masters-degree-level training program (MCR course) was started at Kyoto University School of Medicine and Public Health. The first 28 students graduated in 2008, with most returning to their original clinical institutions.
1) As follow-up, we conducted a self-administered questionnaire survey of all 28 graduates (response rate, 86%) concerning the current status of clinical research and problems encountered at their institutions.
2) Almost 40% of respondents (n=24) reported "no time" or "no research collaborators" for clinical research.
3) Twenty respondents (83%) have attempted to promote clinical research at their hospital or workplace, but only 1 has received institutional support.
4) Over half of the respondents (54%) would like to be working in both clinical research and clinical practice at their hospital in the future (10-year timescale). Forty-two percent of respondents had a concrete image of the clinical researcher's career path.
5) Although open to improvement, the MCR program presents a concrete model for the education of clinical researchers. These findings suggest that promoting the conduct of clinical research requires the implementation of a support system and adjustment of personal and physical infrastructure.
3.Gender differences in preferences for mentoring styles and topics in academic medicine in Japan
Hiroki Mishina ; Ken Sakushima ; Kenei Sada ; Junji Koizumi ; Takashi Sugioka ; Naoto Kobayashi ; Masaharu Nishimura ; Junichiro Mori ; Hirofumi Makino ; Mitchell D Feldman ; Shunichi Fukuhara
Medical Education 2014;45(1):1-7
Objective: To evaluate gender differences in mentee’s preference for mentoring styles and topics in academic medicine in Japan.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of mentees at 6 graduate schools of medicine in Japan from December 2011 through January 2012. The study participants were 1700 Japanese-speaking graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. The primary outcome was the percentage of respondents who desired to be mentored with a particular style or topic.
Results: A total of 676 (227 women) mentees responded to the survey. Women were less likely than men to prefer a hierarchical mentoring relationship (men, 82%; women, 71%; p=0.001) but were more likely to desire a mentor for career consultation (men, 51%; women, 64%; p=0.001). Women were more likely than men to want guidance in developing a research portfolio (men, 85%; women, 90%; p=0.04), in computer skills/statistical skills (men, 68%; women, 81%; p=0.001), and in long-term career planning (men, 38%; women, 50%; p=0.003).
Conclusion: Women mentees in Japan express different preferences for mentoring styles and topics from men. Mentors in Japan must take these differences into consideration.
4.A Case of Paraneoplastic Stiff-person Syndrome with Advanced Breast Cancer
Daisuke NAITO ; Fuminori WAKAYAMA ; Hirohiko SHIZUKAWA ; Masayuki NAKANOWATARI ; Michio IIDA ; Takashi FUKUHARA
Palliative Care Research 2020;15(2):85-89
Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is an extremely rare disease that is characterised by progressive rigidity and muscle spasms affecting the axial and limb muscles and is difficult to diagnose. In SPS, autoantibodies such as anti-GAD antibody or anti-amphiphysin antibody may be proved, and it is speculated that SPS is GABAergic neurons disorder with the central nervous system due to these antibodies. We report a case of advanced breast cancer with a paraneoplastic SPS. Case: A 52-year-old woman was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer with bilateral multiple lung metastases, bilateral cancerous pleurisy, multiple liver metastases, cancerous peritonitis, and bilateral ovarian metastases. Anti-cancer treatment was not indicated due to poor condition, and oxygenation and pleural drainage and ascites drainage were performed in the palliative care unit. A series of symptoms due to muscle rigidity progressed rapidly which initially manifested as dysphagia, then stiffness of the upper extremities and locomotive disability. So she was diagnosed as paraneoplastic SPS by a neurologist. Despite the partial efficacy of diazepam, it was difficult to increase dosage due to sedation.