Welcome

JIVROSG is a multi-center scientific organization established in 2002 by Dr. Yasuaki Arai as the founder that conducts clinical trials in the field of interventional radiology (IR) in oncology, also known as interventional oncology (IO). JIVROSG consists of a headquarter in National Cancer Center in Tokyo with committees and nearly 100 member institutions in Japan. JIVROSG has conducted clinical trials evaluating various IO procedures. Also, international clinical trials with Asian countries and inter-group trials with other study groups in Japan were performed. JIVROSG has been primarily supported by National Cancer Center under the National Cancer Center Research and Development Fund, but also by research grants from the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. The goal of the group is to standardize the applications, techniques, and evaluation of IO procedures and thereby improve the clinical outcomes of the cancer patients.

Group representative
Miyuki Sone, M.D.
(Head, Interventional Radiology Center, National Cancer Center)

Interventional Radiology (IR)

IR uses diagnostic imaging such as x-ray and ultrasound to see inside a person’s body and to help the doctor guide special instruments. These instruments are inserted into the body through a small opening in the skin and treatment is performed. IR treatment involves minimal burden to the body (minimal invasiveness) compared to treatment with open surgery. Open surgery involves a large incision, allowing treatment by direct observation of the abnormal tissue. The word “radiology” is used because diagnostic imaging technology is used. However, IVR is performed with a focus on treatment and it differs greatly from conventional radiology performed for diagnosis. Beginning in the 1980s, the use of IVR has grown worldwide. Japan is one of the non-Western countries in which its use has become just as prevalent as in Western countries.

Clinical Trials

It is necessary to determine whether or not new treatment methods are truly beneficial to the patients even if such methods were devised to improve on conventional treatments. Therefore, such treatments must be used in actual clinical settings to scientifically examine and evaluate their beneficial effects, safety, and adverse effects from various perspectives. A clinical trial is a medical activity for research purposes, and it is distinct from general medical practice in which established standard treatments are performed.