Greetings
Gastroenterology provides comprehensive care for a wide range of digestive diseases, from the digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, and large intestine) to the liver, biliary tract, pancreas, and spleen. We treat a diverse range of illnesses, including inflammation, infections, functional disorders, and both benign and malignant tumors. As a result, our department is one of the busiest in the hospital, receiving the most patients.
Within our Gastroenterology team, we provide high-quality medical care across all aspects of digestive health through close collaboration between our three specialized groups: "gastrointestinal tract," "liver," and "biliary and pancreatic." Under the guidance of professors and instructors who serve as officers in major academic societies and guideline committees, our staff, possessing extensive experience and specialist qualifications, handles outpatient, inpatient, and cancer management, as well as endoscopic procedures. We also dedicate ourselves to training the next generation of young doctors. We aim to provide advanced medical care that goes beyond standard treatment guidelines, always looking one step ahead.
In recent years, there have been remarkable advancements in diagnosis, treatment, endoscopic techniques, and medical equipment in the field of gastroenterology. Therefore, in order to realize truly patient-centered medical care, we have established a collaborative system that transcends departmental boundaries, and we also work in partnership with university hospital treatment centers such as the "Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center," "Liver Disease Treatment Center," and "Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases Cente," where specialists and medical staff from various fields gather. As the only university hospital and advanced medical care hospital in western Kanagawa Prefecture, we provide advanced medical care for intractable diseases in close cooperation with local medical institutions. As the "last resort" for the region, we actively accept critically ill patients requiring intensive care, emergency patients, and patients whose diagnoses are difficult to obtain at general hospitals. Based on our hospital's philosophy, we practice patient-centered medicine at all times.
In terms of education, based on Tokai University's educational philosophy, we focus on nurturing "good physicians" who can empathize with patients and provide compassionate and warm medical care. Furthermore, as a facility boasting an overwhelming number of cases, we are dedicated to training experts in various fields of gastroenterology. Our department welcomes physicians of all academic years who wish to join us as staff or residents, regardless of experience, alma mater, gender, or nationality. Whether you want to practice clinical medicine, conduct research, or pursue a doctoral degree, we will listen to your aspirations and support you. We also accept visits and short-term/long-term training programs at any time, so please feel free to contact us.
Head Gastroenterology Department
Eiten Iwasaki
Treatment details
Features
We utilize physical examinations, various imaging tests, and endoscopic examinations to provide appropriate diagnosis and treatment for the digestive tract, from the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, and large intestine, to the liver, gallbladder, biliary tract, pancreas, and spleen. In particular, our hospital is equipped with the latest medical equipment for gastrointestinal endoscopic examinations and treatments, and a team of multiple specialists with high levels of skill works together to handle even highly complex examinations and procedures. We perform one of the highest numbers of endoscopic procedures in Kanagawa Prefecture, and actively perform upper, lower, and small bowel endoscopy, as well as related procedures such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). For endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastrointestinal cancers and endoscopic drainage for cholangitis and encapsulated pancreatic necrosis (WON), instructors from the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Endoscopy, the Japanese Biliary Tract Society, and the Japanese Pancreas Society, who possess sufficient skills and expertise, lead the safe and reliable treatment. We are also actively involved in cancer treatment and receive many referrals of gastrointestinal tumor patients through regional collaboration. In addition to providing optimal anticancer drug treatment, we also hold regular joint conferences with Gastroenterological Surgery and the Department of Radiology, providing high-quality multidisciplinary treatment that transcends departmental boundaries.
Points to note when visiting an outpatient clinic for the first time
◯ Request for Referral Letter and Advance Appointment: When visiting Gastroenterology, please be sure to bring a "referral letter" from your primary care physician and make an appointment for your initial consultation in advance. By making an appointment, you can be seen with a relatively short waiting time (please note that there are no initial consultation appointment slots on Saturdays).
Regarding first-time visits without an appointment: If you have a doctor's instruction, are concerned about your condition worsening before your scheduled appointment, or in an emergency, we will see you even without an appointment. Please do not hesitate to contact the Gastroenterology Clinic (Clinic 4). *However, patients with appointments will be given priority, so you may have to wait a long time before being seen. We appreciate your understanding. Also, it may be difficult to see you on the same day, so please contact us in advance before coming.
Regarding the content of the initial consultation and follow-up visits: To provide highly specialized medical care, the initial outpatient visit will begin with a "medical history" and "physical examination." After that, we will schedule a consultation with a specialist who is more familiar with the disease, as well as endoscopic examinations and special imaging tests (such as contrast-enhanced CT and MRI). It is rare for imaging tests to be performed on the same day, and you will need to visit the hospital several times on different days for the purpose of the tests, so please check your schedule in advance before coming to the hospital.
◯ Request regarding meals before your appointment: Depending on the urgency and your condition, imaging tests or emergency procedures may be necessary on the day of your first visit. Therefore, please refrain from eating before coming to the clinic. (※Please make sure to drink plenty of fluids such as water or tea to prevent dehydration.)
Regarding initial consultation slots: We can accommodate any initial consultation slot for digestive diseases. However, if you already know your specialty, please inform the liaison office when making your appointment so that you can receive treatment from a specialist from the start of your visit. The specialty areas of the initial consultation doctors for each day of the week are as follows:
First half of fiscal year 2026 (until September): Monday and Friday (gastrointestinal tract, endoscopy), Tuesday (liver), Wednesday and Thursday (biliary and pancreatic)
Second half of fiscal year 2026 (October onwards): Mondays and Thursdays (gastrointestinal tract, endoscopy), Tuesdays and Fridays (liver), Wednesdays (biliary and pancreatic gallbladder)
Main target diseases
1. Gastrointestinal diseases
The digestive tract is divided into the esophagus, stomach, small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum), and large intestine. Esophageal diseases include reflux esophagitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, esophageal varices, achalasia, Barrett's esophagus, esophageal submucosal tumors, and esophageal cancer. Gastric diseases include Helicobacter pylori infection gastritis, functional dyspepsia, gastric polyps, gastric submucosal tumors, MALT lymphoma, and gastric cancer. In Helicobacter pylori eradication, we also handle cases of drug hypersensitivity and unsuccessful second-line treatments. Small intestinal diseases include ulcers, submucosal tumors, polyps, and cancer. Since the jejunum and ileum cannot be reached with upper and lower endoscopy, we perform examinations using double-balloon enteroscopy. Large intestinal diseases include polyps, cancer, diverticulitis, diverticular bleeding, ischemic colitis, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease), infectious enteritis, irritable bowel syndrome, protein-losing enteropathy, and malabsorption syndrome. We perform endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for polyps smaller than 2 cm and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early-stage colorectal cancer. Furthermore, for inflammatory bowel disease, where new drugs are constantly emerging, we offer the latest treatments, including biological agents.
2. Liver disease
Our facility is designated as a core hospital for the treatment of liver diseases and plays a central role in the central and western regions of the prefecture in the treatment of liver diseases. We provide treatment for a wide range of liver diseases, including acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver cysts, and liver abscesses. We actively provide nucleoside analog therapy for hepatitis B and DAA therapy for hepatitis C. In addition, we incorporate the latest treatments to treat various complications of liver cirrhosis, and for esophageal varices, we perform endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) and sclerotherapy (EIS), and for gastric varices, we perform EIS and balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous embolization (B-RTO). For liver cancer, we perform radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). For advanced liver cancer, we introduce molecular targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors to reduce tumor size and improve prognosis. Furthermore, for large liver cysts that cause symptoms such as abdominal distension, we perform cystic sclerotherapy. As a regional center for liver disease treatment, we provide appropriate medical care tailored to the individual condition of each patient.
3. Biliary-pancreatic diseases
Biliary tract and pancreatic diseases include gallstones, gallbladder polyps, cholecystitis, gallbladder cancer, common bile duct stones, cholangitis, bile duct cancer, intrahepatic bile duct stones, intrahepatic bile duct cancer, acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, autoimmune pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma, and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). In recent years, to address the increasing incidence of pancreatic cancer and biliary tract cancer, we have partnered with the "Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases Cente" to establish a system for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Specifically, we perform histological diagnoses using ERCP and EUS-FNA to ensure early and accurate diagnosis, and determine the best treatment plan in close cooperation with the Department Gastroenterological Surgery, Clinical Oncology, Department of Diagnostic Pathology, and Department of Diagnostic Imaging. Tokai University Hospital is a regional cancer treatment referral center and receives referrals from many patients. By working closely with the Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Department of Diagnostic Pathology, and Department of Diagnostic Imaging, we administered anticancer drug therapy to 208 patients (a total of 1,900 cases) for biliary and pancreatic cancers in 2024. Furthermore, by working closely with Department of Genetics, we are also focusing on exploring new treatments utilizing "cancer genome medicine."
Regarding EUS and ERCP-related procedures, our hospital is a high-volume center that performs a total of over 1,000 procedures annually, and with the increase in specialists, we are now able to provide even more advanced procedures. Simultaneous EUS-FNA and ERCP for pancreatic and biliary tract malignancies to reduce patient burden and improve diagnostic accuracy; enhanced EUS-related transgastrointestinal drainage through expansion of endoscopic ultrasound equipment (expected to be 30 cases in FY2025); introduction of EUS-guided drainage for acute cholecystitis following expanded insurance coverage; lithotripsy using the latest cholangioscopy and electrohydraulic shock wave lithotripsy for difficult-to-treat common bile duct stones; combined extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and endoscopic procedures on the pancreatic duct for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic stones (one of the few specialized facilities in Kanagawa Prefecture); ERCP using double-balloon endoscopy for patients who have difficulty reaching the duodenal papilla in the postoperative intestinal tract; implementation of endoscopic ultrasound for the diagnosis of early pancreatic cancer; and high-definition contrast-enhanced CT scans using the latest Photon-counting CT in cooperation with Department of Diagnostic Imaging We believe our strengths lie in our thorough implementation of various measures to prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis and the simultaneous performance of EST+EPBD (ESBD) during common bile duct stone removal. We will continue to strive to be a leading facility in the field of biliary and pancreatic endoscopy.
Main medical achievements
Medical treatment results for fiscal year 2025
◯ Treatment of gastrointestinal diseases
|
Upper endoscopy |
11951 |
|
Lower endoscopy |
3085 |
|
Capsule endoscopy |
34 |
|
Small bowel endoscopy |
18 |
|
ESDp |
163 |
|
-esophagus |
33 |
|
-stomach |
66 |
|
-duodenum |
1 |
|
-Large intestine and rectum |
63 |
◯ Treatment for liver disease
|
TACE(Transarterial Embolization for Liver Tumors) |
64 |
|
RFA(Radiofrequency Ablation for Liver Tumors) |
18 |
|
EVL/EIS(Ligation and sclerotherapy for varicose veins) |
24・26 |
|
BRTO(Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous embolization for varicose veins) |
6 |
◯ Treatment related to biliary tract and pancreatic diseases
|
ERCP(Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) Related Procedures |
827 |
|
ERCPprocedureunder small bowel endoscopy |
24 |
|
EUS(Endoscopic Ultrasound) Related Procedures |
442 |
|
-DiagnosticEUS |
233 |
|
- EUS-TA(EUSneedle biopsy) |
192 |
|
-Interventional EUS Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastrocholangiostomy EUS-CD/ADEndoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Abscess Drainage EUS-PDDEndoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Pancreatic Duct Drainage EUS-GBDEndoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Cholecystic Drainage |
32 11 17 2 2 |
|
ESWL(Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy)for pancreatic stones |
33 |
|
Percutaneous bile duct and gallbladder drainage procedure (performed Gastroenterology) |
50 |
|
Endoscopic papilloma |
３ |
Doctor List
Department Head: Eiten Iwasaki
Endoscopy Room: Osamu Handa
Director of Liver Disease Treatment Center: Takehiro Kagawa
Director Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center: Hidekazu Suzuki
Deputy Chief Physicians of Ward 11A: Yoshitaka Arase, Mia Fujisawa
Chief Physician of Ward 11B: Hidekazu Suzuki
Deputy Chief Physician of Ward 13B: Aya Kawanishi
Deputy Chief Physician of Ward 14B: Kota Tsurutani
Outpatient: 0463(93)1121 extension 6221
| Specialization | Hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified internist, General Internal Medicine specialist and instructor by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine / specialist and instructor by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology / specialist and instructor by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Endoscopy / FJGES / instructor by the Japan Pancreas Society / instructor by the Japan Biliary Association / specialist by the Japan Society of Hepatology / gastroenterologist by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology / certified industrial physician by the Japan Medical Association |
| Specialized Areas | Diagnosis and treatment of biliary and pancreatic diseases (EUS, ERCP, FNA) |
| Outpatient medical day | Monday (follow-up appointments) / Wednesday (first-time appointments) |
| Specialization | General digestive disorders |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified internist, instructor, and General Internal Medicine specialist of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine / Specialist and instructor of the Japan Society of Hepatology / Specialist and instructor of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology / Specialist and instructor of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Endoscopy / Certified industrial physician of the Japan Medical Association |
| Specialized Areas | Hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases (acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, portal hypertension, gastroesophageal varices, fatty liver disease, cholestasis), biliary and pancreatic diseases (benign biliary tract disease, biliary tract cancer, benign pancreatic disease, pancreatic cancer) |
| Outpatient medical day | Monday, Friday, Saturday |
| Specialization | Gastroenterology diseases in general |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified internist, General Internal Medicine specialist and instructor by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine / Specialist and instructor by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology / Specialist and instructor by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Endoscopy / Hepatologist by the Japan Society of Hepatology / Certified cancer treatment physician by the Japan Board of Certified Cancer Therapists / Gastroenterologist and instructor by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology / Helicobacter pylori infection certified physician by the Japanese Helicobacter Society / Certified industrial physician by the Japan Medical Association |
| Specialized Areas | Upper gastrointestinal diseases (esophageal, stomach, and duodenal diseases), functional gastrointestinal disorders (heartburn, stomach pain, heavy stomach feeling, nausea, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea, etc.), drug therapy for gastrointestinal diseases, chemotherapy for gastrointestinal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease |
| Outpatient medical day | Monday and Tuesday |
| Specialization | Gastrointestinal diseases |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified Internist, General Internal Medicine Specialist, and Instructor by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine / Certified Gastroenterologist and Instructor by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology / Certified Gastroenterologist and Instructor by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Endoscopy / Certified Gastroenterologist and Instructor by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology / Certified IBD Specialist and Instructor by the Japanese Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease / Certified Capsule Endoscopy Specialist and Instructor by the Japanese Society of Capsule Endoscopy / Certified Anti-Aging Medicine Specialist by the Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Medicine / Certified Helicobacter pylori Infection Specialist by the Japanese Society for Helicobacter Research / Certified Bowel Management Doctor by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology |
| Specialized Areas | Inflammatory bowel disease, small intestine disease, Helicobacter pylori, reflux esophagitis, food and digestive disorders |
| Outpatient medical day | Monday (follow-up appointments) / Friday (first-time appointments) |
| Specialization | Liver disease |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified internist, instructor, and General Internal Medicine specialist by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine / Specialist and instructor by the Japan Society of Hepatology / Specialist and instructor by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology / Specialist and instructor by the Japanese Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy / Certified technical physician by the Japanese Society of Portal Hypertension (endoscopic treatment area) |
| Specialized Areas | Viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, esophageal and gastric varices, fatty liver disease, ERCP, colon polyp EMR, primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) |
| Outpatient medical day | Wednesday (follow-up appointment) |
Mia Fujisawa, Lecturer (October 2026 - March 2027, seconded to Hachioji Hospital)
| Specialization | Gastrointestinal diseases |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified internist, instructor, and General Internal Medicine specialist of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine / Specialist and instructor of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology / Specialist and instructor of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Endoscopy / Helicobacter pylori infection certified physician of the Japanese Society of Helicobacter Research / Gastroenterology specialist and instructor of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology |
| Specialized Areas | Peptic ulcer, malignant tumor of the digestive system, gastrointestinal diseases (esophagus, stomach, large intestine) |
| Outpatient medical day | Thursday (follow-up appointment) |
| Specialization | Liver disease |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified internist, instructor, and General Internal Medicine specialist of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine / Specialist and instructor of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology / Specialist and instructor of the Japan Society of Hepatology / Specialist and instructor of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Endoscopy |
| Specialized Areas | Viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, esophageal and gastric varices, fatty liver disease, cystic liver disease, gastrointestinal endoscopic treatment |
| Outpatient medical day | Tuesday and Thursday (follow-up appointments) |
Lecturer Aya Kawanishi
| Specialization | Hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified internist and instructor of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine / Specialist and instructor of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology / Specialist of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Endoscopy / Instructor of the Japan Pancreas Society / Instructor of the Japan Biliary Association |
| Specialized Areas | Diagnosis and treatment of biliary and pancreatic diseases (EUS, ERCP, FNA) |
| Outpatient medical day | Thursday (first visit) Friday (follow-up visit) |
Instructor: Masaya Sano
| Specialization | Gastrointestinal diseases |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified Internist and Instructor, Japanese Society of Internal Medicine / Specialist, Japanese Society of Gastroenterology / Specialist and Instructor, Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Endoscopy / Certified Helicobacter pylori Infection Specialist, Japanese Society for Helicobacter Research |
| Specialized Areas | Peptic ulcer, malignant tumor of the digestive system, gastrointestinal diseases (esophagus, stomach, large intestine) |
| Outpatient medical day | Friday (follow-up appointment) |
| Specialization | Biliary and pancreatic diseases |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified Internist and General Internal Medicine Specialist by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine / Specialist in Gastroenterology by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology / Specialist in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Endoscopy / Certified Helicobacter pylori Infection Specialist by the Japanese Society for Helicobacter Research / Certified Occupational Physician by the Japan Medical Association / Instructor by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine |
| Specialized Areas | Hepatic, biliary, and pancreatic diseases, gastrointestinal malignancies |
| Outpatient medical day | Monday and Thursday (follow-up appointments) |
| Specialization | digestive diseases |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified Specialist General Internal Medicine Medicine (Japanese Society of Internal Medicine), Certified Internal Medicine Specialist and Instructor (Japan Medical Specialist Board), Certified Gastroenterologist (Japanese Society of Gastroenterology), Certified Gastrointestinal Endoscopist (Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Endoscopy), Certified Helicobacter pylori Infection Specialist (Japanese Society for Helicobacter Research), Certified Gastroenterologist, Specialist and Instructor (Japanese Society of Gastroenterology), Certified Hepatologist (Japanese Society of Hepatology), Collaborative Specialist (Japanese Society for Inflammatory Bowel Disease), Certified Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Screening Specialist, Certified Colonoscopy Screening Specialist |
| Specialized Areas | Gastrointestinal diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, malignant tumors |
| Outpatient medical day | Wednesday and Saturday (follow-up appointments) |
Assistant Professor Yoshihiro Shirataki
| Specialization | Biliary and pancreatic diseases |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Board-certified Internal Medicine Specialist by the Japan Medical Specialist Board |
| Specialized Areas | Gastrointestinal diseases, biliary and pancreatic diseases |
| Outpatient medical day | Wednesday (follow-up appointment) |
Assistant Professor Yusuke Mishima
| Specialization | Liver disease |
|---|---|
| Specialized Areas | Hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases |
| Outpatient medical day | Monday, Wednesday (follow-up appointment) |
Assistant Professor Tsubomi Cho
| Specialization | Gastrointestinal diseases |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialist |
|
||
| Outpatient medical day | Tuesday (follow-up appointment) |
| Specialization | Gastrointestinal diseases |
|---|---|
| Specialized Areas | digestive diseases |
| Outpatient medical day | Monday (follow-up appointment) |
Assistant Professor Toru Yamaguchi
| Specialization | digestive diseases |
|---|---|
| Outpatient medical day | Wednesday (follow-up appointment) |
Assistant Professor Yuji Omura
| Specialization | General digestive disorders |
|---|---|
| Outpatient medical day | Thursday (follow-up appointment) |
Takahiro Kikuchi, Clinical Assistant
| Specialization | digestive diseases |
|---|
Shun Sakurai, Clinical Assistant
| Specialization | General digestive disorders |
|---|
Arisa Sugimoto, Clinical Assistant
| Specialization | General digestive disorders |
|---|
Nagamu Inoue, Professor (Health Management)
| Specialization | digestive diseases |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified Internist and General Internal Medicine Specialist by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine / Certified Gastroenterologist and Instructor by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology / Certified Endoscopist and Instructor by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Endoscopy / Certified Hepatologist by the Japanese Society of Hepatology / Certified Coloproctologist and Instructor by the Japanese Society of Coloproctology / Certified Health Checkup Specialist and Instructor / Certified Industrial Physician by the Japan Medical Association |
| Specialized Areas | Gastrointestinal diseases, gastrointestinal health checkups |
| Outpatient medical day | Thursday (PM) |