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5.During Therapy

From Monday through Friday, we repeat the radiation therapy session every day, five times a week, until the planned number of treatments is reached. There is no therapy on Saturdays, Sundays, or national holidays. Appointments are necessary to receive the therapy. Since the patient positioning is done prior to the daily therapy, the session takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes every day, including the time for irradiation.


Examination and Tests during Therapy

We examine the patient regularly during the course of the therapy to look for signs of side effects to which we can respond. In most cases, there is no side effect during the first few weeks of the therapy, and the patient is able to have a normal life.

After that time, patients who received therapy in the head and neck area sometimes experience acute phase side effects (acute response) such as oral mucositis or dermatitis (if the area is within the field of irradiation).

For patients who received therapy for the lungs or liver, acute phase side effects are limited to mild dermatitis in most cases.

Patients who received therapy for prostate cancer may feel discomfort or difficulty when urinating.
In these cases, the symptoms are temporary and will improve in two to four weeks after the therapy is completed.

We also evaluate the effect of the therapy regularly, using blood tests and CT and MRI scans. As we witness a shrinkage of the tumor toward the end of the therapy, we revise the therapy planning and reduce the irradiation field. This reduction can decrease the side effects.

Life during Therapy

If the patient can be treated as an outpatient, we would like him/her to lead a normal life. We make a simple mark on the patient's skin, but he/she is allowed to take baths. However, we ask the patient to be careful and avoid exposing the irradiated area to direct sunlight. If the patient prefers, he/she can stay at a nearby hotel during the therapy period and commute to the hospital.

If the patient is an inpatient, we would like him/her to spend time freely except for the time required for the therapy and tests. However, our instructions on everyday living, such as abstinence from alcoholic beverages and smoking as well as a bedtime of 10 PM, must be followed.

There are no tests or therapy on holidays, so the patient can go out and even leave for overnight stays. Our facility is located in Nishi Harima Science Garden City, and it takes roughly one hour to travel to Himeji or Okayama by car, bus, or train. To visit Kobe, it takes about one and a half hours by bus and train.


Outside of the Hospital Ward View of the Courtyard from an Inpatient Room
Outside of the Hospital Ward View of the Courtyard from an Inpatient Room

Dining Room General Inpatient Room
Dining Room General Inpatient Room

Harima Science Garden City
Harima Science Garden City



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 1-2-1 Koto, Shingu-cho,
 Tatsuno-shi,
 Hyogo JAPAN 679-5165
 TEL(0791)58-0100(rep.)
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