St. Luke’s International Hospital exterior with tower and lush greenery, Tokyo

Patient room at St. Luke’s International Hospital with modern medical bed and amenities

Waiting area at St. Luke’s International Hospital with seating and natural light

Cardiac catheterization lab at St. Luke’s International Hospital, Tokyo with advanced equipment

Operating room at St. Luke’s International Hospital with advanced medical equipment

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Japan, Chuo City

Bladder cancer Treatment in St. Luke’s International Hospital

3 accreditations

hospital certificates of quality

About the clinic

Bladder cancer care at St. Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo, Japan, includes diagnostic testing, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Its urology program has offered da Vinci Xi robot-assisted cystectomy since 2011, and the hospital renewed JCI accreditation in 2024.

Bladder cancer diagnosis

The diagnostic pathway can include urine tests, imaging, and procedures to examine the bladder and confirm tumor type.

Urine cytology: Examines urine for cancer cells.
Bladder ultrasound: Screens for bladder tumors.
Cystoscopy: Examines the inside of the bladder.
CT and MRI: Help assess the cancer’s stage.
Upper urinary tract assessment: Checks the renal pelvis and ureters.
Biopsy or TURBT: Removes tissue for pathological diagnosis. TURBT can also remove superficial bladder tumors.

Surgery and urinary diversion

Robot-assisted radical cystectomy removes the bladder through minimally invasive surgery. It may be considered for muscle-invasive cancer without metastasis and selected cases uncontrolled by other treatments. St. Luke’s has performed the procedure since 2011 using the da Vinci Xi system.

During cystectomy, surgeons create a new route for urine. The clinic offers three diversion options:

Orthotopic neobladder: Allows natural urination and requires urethral preservation. It may suit younger patients with good kidney function.
Ileal conduit: Uses about 20 cm of the ileum to create a stoma. It is an established diversion method.
Ureterocutaneostomy: Brings the ureters directly to the skin. It may suit older patients or those with other health conditions.

Urinary diversion can be performed inside the body or through an extracorporeal method. The clinic prefers intracorporeal diversion, which may lower ureteral stricture risk and speed bowel recovery.

Open radical cystectomy is another option for muscle-invasive cancer without metastasis. Compared with minimally invasive surgery, it involves greater blood loss, more complications, and a larger wound. Laparoscopic cystectomy is also available, though it takes longer and is not widely adopted.

Other bladder cancer treatments

Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT): Treats superficial cancer and can provide a definitive diagnosis when cytology or biopsy is inconclusive.
Intravesical instillation therapy: Delivers local treatment into the bladder for superficial cancer and carcinoma in situ.
Systemic chemotherapy: Medical Oncology treats bladder and other urologic cancers. Most chemotherapy is given as outpatient care.
Radiation therapy: The Radiation Oncology Department treats solid tumors, including urologic cancers.

The hospital also holds Magnet Recognition for nursing and is the only Magnet-recognized hospital in East Asia. Patients can leave a request on Bookimed to explore consultation options.

Highlights

1901 Year of foundation

16 doctors

158000 patients per year

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Treatments prices in the clinic

Last price update – {{date}}. Prices may change depending on the medical case and the doctor's recommendations.

Oncology

treatment	Price
Da Vinci Robotic System	Price on request
Robotic da Vinci prostatectomy	Price on request
Resection of glioma	Price on request
Resection of medulloblastoma	Price on request
Chemotherapy for breast cancer	Price on request
Chemotherapy	Price on request
Brachytherapy	Price on request
Brain tumor removal	Price on request
Radiotherapy	Price on request
Breast cancer surgery	Price on request
Hormone therapy	Price on request
Gland therapy for breast cancer	Price on request
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy	Price on request
Stereotaxic radiosurgery	Price on request
Tomotherapy	Price on request
Radiosurgery of a brain tumor	Price on request
CyberKnife for brain tumor	Price on request
Gamma Knife for brain tumor	Price on request
Radiation therapy for colorectal cancer	Price on request
Radiation therapy for brain tumor	Price on request
Chemotherapy for liver cancer	Price on request
Radiotherapy for throat cancer	Price on request
Throat cancer operation	Price on request
Radiotherapy for breast cancer	Price on request

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hospital accreditations of quality

Joint Commission International

US, Joint Commission International certificate for St. Luke’s International Hospital

European Society for Medical Oncology

CH, European Society for Medical Oncology certificate for St. Luke’s International Hospital

Fellow, American College of Surgeons

US, Fellow, American College of Surgeons certificate for St. Luke’s International Hospital

St. Luke’s International Hospital: more details about the clinic

Japan, Chuo City

St. Luke's International Hospital is a multi-specialty medical center in Tokyo, Japan. Dr. Rudolf Bolling Teusler founded it in 1901. The facility operates from three primary buildings. The hospital practices evidence-based medicine while respecting each patient's values. It treats both adults and children, with pediatric surgery available for patients under 16.

Accreditations and Patient Volume

The hospital holds JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation, first achieved in 2012. It also earned Magnet Recognition® for nursing quality in 2019.

In 2020, the hospital recorded more than 534,000 outpatient visits and over 158,000 admissions. A discharge survey showed 97.6% of inpatients were satisfied with their care. The facility has 520 beds.

Specialized Cancer Care

The Breast Center coordinates breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. The team includes specialists in breast surgery, oncology, and diagnostic radiology. Patients receive systemic therapy with anti-cancer drugs and reconstructive plastic surgery when needed.

After surgery, the hospital provides follow-up care with regular check-ups and annual mammography. Patients with hereditary cancer risks can access clinical genetics support from board-certified physicians.

For lung cancer, respiratory medicine, thoracic surgery, and radiation oncology work together. Specialists use virtual bronchoscopy and lung dye methods to determine precise resection ranges. Treatment options include:

Robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery
Thoracoscopic surgery
Lung function-preserving reduced surgery
Outpatient chemotherapy and molecular-targeted therapy

The AYA Survivor Support Center serves patients ages 15–39. It addresses physical and psychological concerns from diagnosis through long-term recovery.

Neurosurgery and Cardiology

The Neurology & Neurosurgery Center treats brain tumors, vascular diseases, and spinal conditions. Neurosurgeons perform functional stereotactic brain surgery and neuroendovascular therapy. The hospital also offers specialized brain check-ups to detect early signs of disease. The Neurology department manages degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

The Cardiovascular Center focuses on minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) and catheter-based treatments. Surgeons perform robot-assisted valve surgery, including mitral and tricuspid valve repairs. Other cardiac procedures include:

Coronary angiography
Stent graft therapy
Transluminal Arterial Angioplasty (PTA) and stenting
Hybrid treatments combining catheter and surgical therapy

These procedures take place in specialized units designed for rapid recovery.

Advanced Diagnostic and Treatment Technology

The hospital uses the da Vinci Xi Surgical System for robotic prostatectomy and other minimally invasive procedures. This technology lets surgeons perform complex movements through small incisions.

Radiosurgery options include CyberKnife, Gamma Knife, and Tomotherapy for treating brain tumors without traditional surgery. For pulmonology diagnostics, the clinic uses EBUS-TBNA (ultrasound-guided needle biopsy) and cryobiopsy. The imaging department has PET-CT systems with various tracers, including Fluoroestradiol (FES) and Gallium 68.

International Patient Services

St. Luke's International Hospital supports patients traveling from abroad through dedicated liaison services. Medical staff consult in Japanese and English for clear communication during treatment planning.

The hospital offers online consultations with pediatric oncologists and onco-hematologists for remote case reviews. International patients can access English medical questionnaires before visiting the Breast Center.

Additional services

Language assistance

Available

free

Accommodation

Hotel (apartments) near the clinic, billed daily

Patient reviews

Google 3.5

10 Google reviews

Leonardo Fukushima

Oct 6, 2026

Whenever I go, receive an excellent service, have no complaints about! I did many exams and even a surgery, everyone very punctual, polite and respectful! A special thanks to dr Kawaguchi Fuhito, he was amazing!

マリナ

Sep 25, 2026

I gave birth to my first child at this hospital. Thank you so much. Everyone—from the midwives and doctors to the pharmacists and the reception staff—was truly kind, careful, and responded with real care and thoughtfulness. I had prolonged pre-labor contractions and ended up staying in the LDR for about two days, which was really hard. However, once labor began, everything went very smoothly. My perineal wound healed well, and the anesthesia for painless delivery worked extremely well—so I had a happy delivery. During labor, they also cared about when my husband (who was coming from far away) would arrive and encouraged me to get things going so that he would make it in time. Thanks to that, my husband was able to be present for the birth. Thank you very much. During my hospital stay, because the midwife carefully considered the frequency and duration of pumping while watching my condition, I’ve been able to enjoy comfortable childcare even after being discharged. For milk, all I had to do was press the nurse call button and they delivered prepared milk to me right away—everything was taken care of, and I really had a comfortable hospital stay. The view from my private room was also amazing. My baby can be looked after whenever I want and brought to me whenever I want. In particular, the aromatherapy massage of the midwife’s upper body on the second day after giving birth was truly wonderful and I can’t forget it! In a darkened room, watching over with my husband and my daughter, I felt incredibly happy. Thank you so much. I will definitely give birth here again for my second child. By the way, the final payment—roughly—was about 1,000,000 yen extra (handout). ^_^

獣怪

Aug 28, 2026

My eyes suddenly started feeling bad, and when I consulted a friend, they recommended this place and I decided to come. From check-in to the consultation, everything was extremely smooth. The ophthalmologist was also kind and gave very careful, attentive care. What stood out to me most was that the doctor didn’t only share things from a physician’s perspective—he talked with me from the patient’s point of view. He explained each of my worries carefully, and it helped relieve my anxiety, which gave me a great sense of reassurance. Even though I came in urgently, I’m truly glad I visited here. Thank you very much.

ぴんぐり

Jun 11, 2026

I gave birth at this hospital! Because the medical system is solid and reliable, I was able to face childbirth with peace of mind. I’m very grateful to everyone—the doctors, midwives, and nurses—for being so dedicated and caring. The painless delivery was more like “gentle pain management” than fully painless; their stance was that we should do it in a way that doesn’t interfere with natural childbirth. Breastfeeding guidance was quite thorough. (Since I wasn’t especially hoping for breastfeeding, personally I felt there was a bit of a gap in expectations.) Because of the breastfeeding, it’s hard to leave the baby overnight, but I was able to have the baby looked after while I was away.

Matt K

Jun 11, 2026

Not sure why the last 2 reviews were negative but our experience there for ER treatment and day operation was just very satisfactory. The nurses were all very patient amd professional. Even though I could only speak some Japanese, they were patient enough to communicate with me slowly or with google translate. The doctor I had for my cataract ops, Dr Suzuki, spoke excellent English so I had a wonderful treatment from her. She gave me excellent treatment. The surgical staff were all very caring too in the operating theater. I felt very safe and in good hands. All my appointments there were very timely and I did not have to wait at all. My wife's ER visit at midnight was also very reassuring as they had 3 doctors look into her case. It was again very reassuring. As for cost, its likely more than the local japanese public hospital but with the NHI subsidy, its certainly less than my home country. You have to remember that it is a private hospital. All in all, I highly recommend this hospital for foreign resident in Tokyo. They have a long rich history with lots of accolade. So I have confidence in their medical treatment. For my cataract ops, they did so many different tests and found issues not found elsewhere. So its 👍👍👍

Shuichi Ishihara

Jun 8, 2026

The facility is clean, the staff are kind and polite, and the doctor’s care during the examination is excellent.

Chika McGary

May 13, 2026

I gave birth here about a month ago. That day, I suddenly had to have a Cesarean section, and I was filled with fear and anxiety. However, the midwives at St. Luke’s supported me, and I was able to leave the hospital safely. The midwife in charge changes every day, but every one of them was truly kind, and they responded with my and my child’s well-being as their top priority. It was also reassuring that they respected my own views on childcare. Before the surgery, someone who noticed me trembling with fear said, “You did so well making it this far,” and encouraged me throughout the operation. Another person, when I couldn’t get any sleep after the surgery and became mentally low and dark in mood, asked me a lot of questions and helped me smoothly coordinate with the psychiatry department. There was also someone who stayed with me from morning until night, teaching me how to breastfeed and how to use the breast pump. And when my husband gave milk for the first time, someone even considered things like, “I’ll take a photo!”—they were thoughtful like that, too. My body was sore after giving birth and I couldn’t move the way I wanted, and even walking took all I could manage—but their kindness truly became a support for my heart. As for the surgery itself, it seemed that it was performed by resident doctors, and the director (chief) doctor supervised. After the operation, when I still couldn’t accept the fact that I had ended up having a Cesarean section, the doctors carefully explained the initial situation to me again and again until I could finally organize my thoughts. Regarding prenatal checkups: the day of the week is set based on the day you first go, and then it stays fixed every month afterward. I think it’s a good idea to consider in advance which day of the week will be easier for you to visit before you start attending appointments. At checkups, the doctor isn’t assigned on a fixed basis; there were times when I saw different doctors each time. During delivery as well, they said which doctor would be in charge would depend on the circumstances on the day. I received help from many different departments, such as the reception staff at the hospital and the document section, but consistently, everyone was kind and the responses were prompt. Thank you very much for everything.

Kyoko Fujimoto

Apr 15, 2026

At St. Luke's Hospital, my husband had surgery. We truly appreciate the thorough care. Thank you very much.

楊井得之

Apr 8, 2026

I’ve heard that this hospital was created by Dr. Hinohara. I’ve heard it’s a very good hospital. I’ve also heard that there are doctors who understand things well, and that the well-organized staff are working hard as a team. I want to be admitted to a hospital like this too. Please do your best!

生田福

Mar 18, 2026

I was hospitalized for 2 nights and 3 days for an appendectomy. I was nervous, but the surgical gown they provided had a cute pink design, and just that alone made me feel at ease and helped my tension melt away. It was also reassuring that the doctor personally set up my pre-op IV line. In the operating room, all the staff kindly spoke to me, and while they were warming my feet, I suddenly realized that everything was already over. The pain and difficult moments were taken care of during the anesthesia, and when I woke up, I was receiving thorough care in my room (such as an oxygen mask and foot pumps). I was filled with a sense of comfort—like I was being truly cared for—because of the considerate words and attention. The nurses always stayed close and supported me. The room was also extremely clean and well-equipped, with a washbasin, toilet, and shower. The beautiful night view and delicious meals also helped me relax, making for a very comfortable hospital stay.