The Mid-West Japan Hereditary Tumor Cohort study is a prospective cohort study rooted in the local medical area, with 51 institutions participating as of July 2025 (Figure 1).

Figure.1　Participating Institutions as of July 2025 (including institutions preparing for ethics applications)

The research group will conduct studies in individuals with hereditary tumors and their families, including assessments of related tumor incidence rates, survival rates, management, quality of life after risk reducing surgery, and genomic epidemiologic analyses.
Participants will be followed annually for clinical information such as disease incidence and blood test results. The blood and tissue samples will be stored using the facilities and systems of the OKADAI BIOBANK*3, which will allow long-term preservation and use for future research and development.
By accumulating basic data on hereditary tumors in Japan, this research will make it possible to clarify strategies for clinical practice.

Furthermore, to establish a system for long-term, detailed intervention for families with hereditary tumor syndromes, we have created a forum for case conferences and information exchange on the latest topics (Figure 2). The meeting is held online on the fourth Wednesday of every month, and healthcare professionals from institutions other than our research collaborators are welcome to participate.

Figure.2 Overview of Hereditary Tumor Expert Panel

Call for Collaborating Institutions

If you are interested in participating in the Mid-West Japan Hereditary Tumor Cohort Study or the Hereditary Tumor Expert Panel, please contact us at the following address:

Contact Information
Department: Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
Contact Person: Prof. Akira Hirasawa
Phone (Hospital): +81-86-223-7151 (Main)
Email: cgm@okayama-u.ac.jp (Department Office)