In Memory of Shinichiro Ushigome, MD, PhD
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Shinichiro Ushigome, one of the world's foremost surgical pathologists, who passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on January 16, 2025, at the age of 90. He was born in Inatori, Izu-peninsula, Shizuoka, Japan, the son of a doctor, as the 3rd generation of doctor family.
Dr. Ushigome graduated with an MD from Jikei University School of Medicine in 1960. He did his early postgraduate training at Tokyo First National Hospital, the United States Air Force Hospital in Tachikawa, Japan. He was then awarded a Fulbright Scholarship that took him to Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. During his Fulbright tenure, he studied under Dr. Harlan Spjut at MD Anderson Hospital, where he became an international expert on bone and soft tissue tumors.
Dr. Ushigome’s first professional appointment was at St. Marianna University School of Medicine in Kawasaki, Japan, where he served as Associate Professor of Pathology and later as Professor and Chairman from 1973 to 1987. He then returned to his alma mater, Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo, where he held the position of Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pathology from 1987 to 2000. Jikei University is the second oldest medical school in Japan, after the University of Tokyo. Upon his retirement from Jikei University in 2000, he was granted the title of Visiting Professor. That same year, he assumed a new role as Director of the Diagnostic Pathology Center at Keihin Medical Laboratory in Kawasaki, Japan.
Dr. Ushigome’s major research interests included: 1) immunocytochemical and ultrastructural studies of the histogenesis of Ewing’s sarcoma and putatively related tumors, 2) primitive neuroectodermal tumors of bone and soft tissue. He was a co-author of ‘Ewing’s sarcoma - Primitive neuroectodermal tumor’ in ‘Tumours of Soft Tissue and Bone” in the WHO Classification of Tumours Series (Lyon, France 2002) edited by C.D.M. Fletcher, K.K. Unni and F. Martens.
Dr. Ushigome was an active member of several international societies, including the International Skeletal Society and the International Society of Bone and Soft Tissue Pathology. He was recognized as a prominent figure in Japanese pathology society and built lasting friendships with colleagues worldwide.
During his career, Dr. Ushigome often boldly challenged international affairs and communication. As the 2nd Secretary and Treasurer of the Japanese Division of International Academy of pathology (1989-1995), was President (1998-2000), of the Japanese Division of the IAP during the XXIII International Congress of the IAP and the 14th World Congress of Academic and Environmental Pathology meeting in Nagoya, Japan (October 2000). He was one of the main organizers of this Congress and Head of the Public Relations Committee of the Congress. He made fundamental organization of JDIAP, began to publish the official journal of News Bulletin, promoted educational seminars, contributed to increase the membership, established the Japan-Korean Conjoint Slide Conference, and so on.
He was President of the IAP from 2002-2004 and was President for the 2004 Congress that was held in Brisbane, Australia. as President he did a lot of travelling, helping to build bridges between pathologists in Divisions around the world. He found this period of his career very rewarding. In 2005 he was awarded the Gold Medal of the IAP for his distinguished services to pathology.
Dr. Ushigome’s career in IAP dated back to quite some years ago being involved as the positions including Vice President (Asia). His world-wide and enthusiastic activities for IAP Central made it possible to organize the International Congress in Japan in the year of 2000. Names such as President Anna Kadar, Secretary Florabel G. Mullick Treasurer Jack P. Strong, Editor Robin Cooke were very familiar among the members of JDIAP through Dr. Uhisgome.
In 2000, he served as a responsible organizer for the XXIII International Congress of the International Academy of Pathology and 14th World Congress of Academic and Environmental Pathology. 15-20 October 2000. Nagoya, Japan (Congress President Dr. Rikuo Machinami), More details are described in International Pathology A News Bulletin Vol. 41, No. 1, 2000 and JDIAP A News Bulletin 2000, Number 4. The Congress was very successful and attracted many participants from many divisions worldwide.
From 2003 to 2004, he served as a President of IAP. In 2004, IAP Congress was held in Brisbane, Australia, October 10-15
In 2005 he was awarded the David F. Hardwick IAP Gold Medal for his distinguished services to pathology. The David F. Hardwick International Academy of Pathology Gold Medal Award is presented at each Biennial Conference in recognition of members of the Academy who demonstrate leadership by creating and fostering Academy activities that are of international significance.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Mrs. Yumiko Ushigome, his son Dr. Takuro Ushigome, a surgeon, and his two daughters. His legacy will continue to guide future generations of pathologists and improve the education and communication of pathologists in the world for many years to come. We would like to express our heartfelt condolences for the loss of Dr. Shinichiro Ushigome.
