Abstract
10 years have passed since the head and neck cancer specialist system was established We evaluated the situation of the equalization of head and neck cancer treatment from the viewpoint of local cancer centers. There are four treatment areas in Miyagi Prefecture: two in the Sendai area and one in each of the other treatment areas （5 in total）. In addition, a total of seven hospitals, including Tohoku University Hospital and Miyagi Prefectural Cancer Center, which are core hospitals of the prefectural alliance for cancer treatment, provided cancer treatment. Three training facilities designated by the Japan Society of Head and Neck Surgery were accredited: Tohoku University Hospital, Miyagi Prefectural Cancer Center （both are prefectural cancer medical care cooperation base hospitals） and Sendai Medical Center. Only about 10％ of the patients received treatment at institutions other than those designated by the Japan Society of Head and Neck Surgery. In addition, because the area does not have enough specialists relative to its size, one method to equalize the medical care for head and neck cancer is the transfer of specialists to areas where head and neck cancer treatment is not available to provide medical care at regional base hospitals.
