Comparison with Overseas Glioma Treatment: Significance of Clinical Practice Abroad

Abstract

While the medical equipment, treatment strategies, and drugs used for glioma patients are not much different among developed countries, leading to similar treatment outcomes, players involved in the management as well as the medical/social systems and environments differ greatly between Japan and North America. In North America, division of work is established and multiple departments consider patients as their "own," and are therefore deeply committed to the patients' care which makes the transition of care efficient and smooth for patients. The tumor board was one representative. Neurosurgeons can focus on surgery and clinics, and have dedicated research time allotted for weeks. Due to private insurance in the US, surgery is costly for patients. Religion is part of their life and influences the patients' attitudes toward and ways of thinking about disease, and sometimes unfavorable treatment results. Admittedly, there are advantages and disadvantages in both the Japanese medical environment and those around the world, but it is worthwhile to consider how patients outside of Japan are treated and look back at our practice. It would then widen our perspective and make us recognize that the commonalities are truth.