Respiratory Medicine

What we do

Our Department of Pulmonology serves as the core medical institution for respiratory care in the South Boso region. Beyond Chiba Prefecture, we receive a large number of patients from Kanagawa Prefecture, central Tokyo, and throughout the broader Kanto area.

Outpatient consultations are conducted at Kameda Clinic from Monday through Saturday mornings. A key feature of our outpatient service is that all physicians in our department are fully qualified to diagnose and treat the entire spectrum of respiratory diseases.

From a preventive medicine perspective, we operate a dedicated Smoking Cessation Clinic and actively recommend vaccinations for influenza, pneumococcus, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). For chronic airway conditions such as bronchial asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), we collaborate closely with clinical pharmacists to provide detailed medication guidance and inhaler management. Furthermore, chemotherapy for lung cancer is centralized at our Outpatient Chemotherapy Center whenever possible. We maintain close medical partnerships with regional healthcare facilities and actively welcome second-opinion consultations.

The primary diagnoses among inpatients admitted to Kameda Medical Center include primary lung cancer, bacterial pneumonia, interstitial pneumonia, COPD, bronchial asthma, pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease, pneumothorax, and sleep apnea syndrome. Our patient-centered team approach, led by attending physicians, ensures high-quality diagnosis and treatment.

Clinical Features by Disease & Diagnostic Modality

Lung Cancer

For thoracic malignancies, primarily primary lung cancer, we hold weekly joint multidisciplinary conferences with Thoracic Surgery, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, and Certified Cancer Nurses to deliver continuous, coordinated team medicine. We actively perform genetic alteration testing for lung cancer to provide tailored, personalized medicine (precision oncology). By continuously gathering the latest clinical data, we strive to deliver state-of-the-art treatments.

Interstitial Pneumonia

Interstitial pneumonia encompasses multiple conditions, including Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), which is classified as a designated intractable disease. In addition to our department, we collaborate with Thoracic Surgery, Radiology, Pathology, Rehabilitation, and Rheumatology & Collagen Disease to enhance diagnostic precision and optimize treatment plans. We also participate in clinical trials for novel therapeutics. Dr. Ito, Director of the Department, has established a specialized Interstitial Pneumonia Outpatient Clinic.

Bronchial Asthma & COPD

For severe bronchial asthma, we actively introduce biological therapies (biologics). For patients with co-existing Japanese cedar pollinosis or dust mite allergic rhinitis, we offer Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) aimed at alleviating allergic symptoms. For patients with COPD, we provide comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation. We are also engaged in clinical trials testing new medications for both asthma and COPD.

Pneumonia, Pulmonary NTM Disease, Bronchiectasis & Pulmonary Aspergillosis

For respiratory infections such as pneumonia, we deliver evidence-based treatments aligned with the latest clinical guidelines. For pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease, we offer cutting-edge therapies, including inhaled antibacterial agents and participation in clinical trials. Dr. Kei Nakajima, Head Director, conducts a specialized Pulmonary NTM Disease Outpatient Clinic. We also deliver highly specialized clinical care for bronchiectasis and participate in clinical trials for new drugs targeting NTM and bronchiectasis.

Bronchoscopy

We place continuous emphasis on diagnostic respiratory endoscopy (bronchoscopy), which forms the cornerstone of pulmonary diagnostics. We have introduced state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including local anesthesia thoracoscopy and Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). Our annual bronchoscopy volume ranks among the top in Japan, and we perform these high-quality procedures while minimizing patient discomfort. We also perform Cryobiopsy for interstitial pneumonia. Cryobiopsy enables the extraction of high-quality tissue specimens, ensuring accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment, particularly for interstitial lung diseases.

If you are experiencing respiratory symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath, or if you already have a diagnosed respiratory condition and seek the latest diagnostics and treatments, please do not hesitate to visit our department. We also participate in various clinical trials on an ongoing basis.

(Updated January 8, 2025 / Text Responsible: Dr. Kei Nakajima, Head Director of Pulmonology)

Conditions we handle

Our clinical scope covers all aspects of respiratory medicine without specializing solely in a single area:
Primary lung cancer, respiratory infections, bronchial asthma, COPD, interstitial lung diseases, allergic lung diseases, occupational lung diseases, various pleural diseases including pneumothorax, abnormal breathing disorders such as sleep apnea syndrome, and general respiratory management.

Number of cases

Outpatient :31,769 people/ year
Inpatient: 18,530 people /year
(FY2022)

Number of admission patients by disease

diseases	Number
Lung cancer	824
Interstitial pneumonia	101
Pneumonia	74
Sleep apnea	72
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease	34
Pneumothorax	27
Systemic autoimmune diseases	19
Bronchial asthma	21
Aspiration pneumonia	15
Non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis	12
Pulmonary tuberculosis	9
Abscess	12
Airway bleeding	9
Other	79
Total	1,308

Operation results

None

List of Doctors

Chief of Pulmonology

Kei NAKASHIMA

Subspeciality
Pulmonology

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Kyushu University School of Medicine
Special Qualifications	Board Certified Physician of The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Board Certified Specialist of The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Board Certified Specialist and Advanced Certified Speialist of The Japanese Respiratory Society Board Certified Specialist of The Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy Board Certified Specialist of The Japanese Society for Infectious Diseases
Education & Career	2006 Mar. Graduated from Kyushu University School of Medicine 2006 Apr. Resident of St.Mary's Hospital 2008 Apr. Senior Resident of Saiseikai Fukuoka General Hospital 2009 Apr. Senior Resident Pulmonology， Kameda Medical Center 2012 Sep. Pulmonology， Kameda Medical Center 2013 Apr. Assistant Chief of Pulmonology， Kameda Medical Center 2017 Jan. Vice Chief of Pulmonology， Kameda Medical Center 2018 Feb. Chief of Pulmonology， Kameda Medical Center

Vice Chief of Pulmonology

Hiroyuki ITO

Subspeciality
Pulmonology

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Nagasaki University School of Medicine
Special Qualifications	Board Certified Physician of The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Board Certified Specialist of The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Board Certified Specialist of The Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy Board Certified Specialist of The Japanese Respiratory Society Board Certified Physician of The Japanese Society for Tuberculosis Board Certified Physician of Japan Board of Cancer Therapy
Education & Career	2008 Mar. Graduated from Nagasaki University School of Medicine 2008 Apr. Junior Resident， Japanese Red Cross Nagasaki Genbaku Hospital 2009 Apr. Junior Resident， Nagasaki University Hospital 2010 Apr. Senior Resident Infectious Diseases， Nagasaki University Hospital 2011 Apr. Internal medicine，Juzenkai Hospital 2013 Apr. Resident Gastroenterology，Kanagawa scuiar and Respiratory Center 2015 Apr. Infectious Diseases，Nagasaki University Hospital 2018 Apr. Internal medicine，Juzenkai Hospital 2018 Jun. Chief of Respiratory endoscope，Juzenkai Hospital 2019 Apr. Vice Chief of Pulmonology， Kameda Medical Center

Andrology