Samsung Medical Center (Seoul, South Korea)

When the Samsung Medical Center opened in 1994 it changed the paradigm of the domestic medical world with the advanced concepts “patient-centered” and “customer satisfaction.”

During the past 20 years, the Samsung Medical Center has received much love and encouragement and has won first place in the National Customer Satisfaction Index (NCSI) 14 times, first place in the Korean Customer Satisfaction Index (KCSI) 16 times, first place in the Korean Standard - Service Quality Index (KS-SQI) 12 times consecutively, and has been selected as the top medical center in the hospital sector in Brand Star 12 times consecutively.

In addition, the hospital in 2012 proclaimed the concepts, “Vision 2020, Happiness through Healthcare Innovation” and is making progress to become a leading hospital in the world by realizing the concept of “Happinovation 2020”.

The Samsung Medical Center plans to achieve medical innovation in the future to promote the happiness of patients and will develop into a global hub of biohealth care study and link the industry by connecting to hospital-R&D Center-school and enterprises. At the same time, the Samsung Medical Center will create the image of a new future hospital as a public medical institution that leads social contribution.

CLINICS and CENTERS of Samsung Medical Center

Cancer Education Center

Cancer Education Center tries to do perform a role in as well-being navigator improving quality of life for cancer patients through providing appropriate information, educational, psychosocial support and counseling. Cancer Education Center is operating aimed at providing reliable cancer information on scientific basis, education materials angled towards cancer patients and education program to increase treatment’s effectiveness and to support healthy living.

Breast Cancer Center

Major areas of treatment

Specialties: Recurrent/metastatic/intractable breast cancer, hereditary breast cancer, breast cancer in young women, breast cancer in pregnancy, male breast cancer, and benign breast disorders

Target: Patients under 40 years of age with breast cancer / Pregnant women with breast cancer (includes patients within 1 year of birth regardless of age)

Diagnostic methods

Breast cancer is usually diagnosed by performing through a biopsy—either by needle aspiration, core biopsy, or mammotome—of suspicious lesions found during a mammogram or ultrasound. After diagnosis, our doctors perform a breast MRI to check for additional lesions. Whole body tests are then done to check for metastases in other organs. Depending on the results, the doctors and patient come to a decision regarding surgical methods and whether to perform preoperative chemotherapy.

Latest treatment methods

Oncoplastic breast surgery
Personalized treatment (cancer scan, AVATAR mouse)
Sentinel lymph node biopsy (radioisostope, biopigment, fluorescent dye)
Application of state-of-the-art chemotherapy and other anti-cancer therapies (targeted therapy Herceptin)
Multinational clinical trials

Colorectal Cancer Center

Major areas of treatment / Clinics

Colon cancer, rectal cancer, anal cancer, relapsing/metastatic/intractable colorectal cancer, hereditary colorectal cancer, and hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (familial adenomatous polyposis, more than two colorectal cancer patients in the immediate family, the onset of colorectal cancer before 50 in the family)

Latest treatment methods

Minimally invasive surgery (conventional, single-port, Robotic surgery)
Therapeutic endoscopy for early-stage colorectal cancer
Chemotherapies using advanced agents
Innovative radiotherapies
Tailored targeted therapies

Gastric Cancer Center

Major areas of treatment / Clinics

Gastric cancer
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Strong points

ZERO mortality rate within 30 days after surgery
‘One Day’ program

Diagnostic tests

Gastroscopy, abdominal CT (stomach imaging and virtual gastroscopy), PET, blood testing, thoracic imaging, physiological tests, ultrasonography, MRI, etc.

Latest treatment methods

Surgery is the most fundamental treatment and performed in the form of laparotomy, laparoscopic surgery, and robotic surgery. Fully set up with gastric cancer experts, operating rooms for laparoscopic and robotic surgery and multi-disciplinary operations, a dedicated ward, and a multi-disciplinary system, the Center boasts solid treatment outcomes as well as growing number of surgery.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection is well recognized as a standard treatment for precancerous lesions like gastric adenoma and early-stage stomach cancer whose lesions are small and well differentiated.

We also provide post-surgery adjuvant chemo and radiotherapies as well as diverse conventional therapies against progressive or relapsing stomach cancer to improve the survival rate and the patients’ quality of life. At the same time, we perform a wide range of clinical research to help chart a future direction of cancer treatment.

Genitourinary Cancer Center

MRI guided biopsy
Best imaging protocol
Robot system
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
Laparoscopy and endoscopy system
Intensity modulated radiation therapy
Radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA)
Cryotherapy (Cryotherapy)

Diagnostic methods

The Genitourinary cancer Center performs accurate early diagnosis and evaluation of urologic cancers to provide successful treatment opportunities to patients.

Transrectal ultrasound (Transrectal ultrasound)
Computed tomography (CT: computed tomography)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI: magnetic resomance image)
CT urography (CT urography)
Positron emission tomography-CT (PET-CT: proton emission tomography)
Whole body bone scan (whole body bone scan)
Analysis of molecules, genes, and tumor markers.

Latest treatment methods

Minimally invasive surgical therapy (laser, single port, laparoscopic, robotic laparoscopic surgery)
Radiation therapy technology (innovative radiotherapy techniques), proton therapy
Use of non-surgical methods such as high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
Radiofrequency thermal ablation
Targeted therapies
Advanced chemotherapy agents
Hereditary clinic (Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL)

Gynecologic Cancer Center

Treatment System

The Gynecologic Cancer Center offers one-day outpatient services for cancer patients to reduce time from diagnosis to treatment. It includes radiological and endoscopic diagnostic procedures, and the operation schedule can be made on the day of visit when the treatment procedure has been determined during the first medical examination.

A multidisciplinary team involving Obstetrician/Gynecology, Radiation Oncology, Hematology Oncology, and Pathology, Radiology makes decision in the face-to-face multidisciplinary team meeting for each patient to provide optimized method for diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, the Gynecologic Cancer Center holds weekly conferences on selecting the treatment plans for gynecologic cancer patients and tumor board meetings to promote interdepartmental sharing of information on the treatment procedures and map treatment plans out for specific needs of patients. The Gynecologic Cancer Center has developed the guidelines on standard treatments through interdepartmental discussion. This system ensures safe, optimized, and comprehensive cancer treatment.

For young cancer patients, the center provides fertility sparing treatment option and consultation to infertility clinic. Samsung Medical Center has outstanding Obstetrician, gynecologic endocrinologist, and infertility professionals within Samsung Gynecologic Cancer Center, so doctors provide integral medical services through whole women’s life not only for cancer patients but also for cancer survivors.

The Gynecologic Cancer Center actively exchanges information, opinions about treatment modalities and clinical research results with domestic and international cancer centers in the field of gynecologic cancer to provide patients with the newest, most effective therapies. The center is providing opportunities for gynecologic cancer patients to participate multicenter, international clinical trial. The Gynecologic Cancer Center has enrolled patients to more than 20 clinical trials and currently we are participating 17 clinical trials.

Head and Neck Cancer Center

Major areas of treatment

Specialties: intraoral cancer, salivary gland cancer, pharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer, thyroid cancer, nasal cavity cancer, paranasal sinus cancer, neck cancer, brain base cancer, sarcomas, melanomas, and skin cancer.

Diagnostic methods

Head and Neck Cancer Center has a track record of exceptional healthcare outcomes:
Physical exmination and history taking
Biopsy
Ultrasonography
Computed tomography (CT)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Positron emission tomography-CT (PET-CT)
Bone scan
Molecular analysis
Genes and tumor marker

Latest treatment methods

Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery using laser, endoscopy, and robotic equipment
Partial excision to optimize preservation of function and quality of life
Concomitant reconstructive plastic surgery using free flaps
Precise excision and reconstruction using 3D printing technology
Treatment of lymphatic metastases through sentinel lymph node biopsy and excision

Radiotherapy

3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy
Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT, tomotherapy)
Brachytherapy, total body irradiation
Proton therapy

Chemotherapy and targeted therapy

Up-to-date chemotherapy
Up-to-date targeted therapy
Multinational clinical trial therapy using various drugs

Liver Cancer Center

Diagnostic methods

The Liver Cancer Center performs accurate early diagnosis and evaluation to provide successful treatment opportunities to patients:

Tumor markers (blood test)
Ultrasonography
Contrast enhanced ultrasonography
Computed tomography (CT)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Biopsy

Latest treatment methods

Along with hepatectomy, liver transplantation, radiofrequency thermal ablation, chemoembolization of the hepatic artery, chemotherapy (targeted therapy), radiosurgery, and radiation therapy, the Samsung Liver Cancer Center has now begun to offer liver cancer cryotherapy.

Lung and Esophageal Cancer Center

Main Service

Specialties: lung cancer, esophageal cancer

Diagnostic methods

Chest X-ray, Chest CT, sputum test, bronchoscopy, fine needle aspiration biopsy, positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT), bone scan, brain MRI, bronchoscopic ultrasound, mediastinoscopy

Latest treatment methods

Interventional bronchoscopy, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy (3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy; 3DCRT), intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) tomotherapy, body stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT), proton therapy)

Pancreatobiliary Cancer Center

Major areas of treatment

Specialties: Pancreatic cancer, gallbladder cancer, metastatic liver cancer, ampulla of Vater cancer, biliary cancer (intrahepatic, perihilar and distal), precancerous lesions of the pancreas and biliary duct (including pancreatic cysts/biliary stenosis/gallbladder polyps)

Even though it is hard to diagnose pancreatobiliary lesions, doctors provide accurate pathologic diagnosis through up-to-date diagnostic equipment:

Abdominal CT
Abdominal MRI
Positron emission tomography
Retrograde cholangiopancreatography and cholangioscopy
Endoscopic ultrasonography
Contrast enhanced sonography guided biopsy

Diagnostic methods

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose at an early stage, and choosing an appropriate treatment method after diagnosis is very important for prognosis. Rapid diagnosis and treatment is possible thanks to collaboration between experts from various fields related to the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

First, doctors conduct radiologic tests depending on the patient’s symptoms, physical examination, or prior testing. Based on the radiology test results, we either observe the patient’s condition or order more detailed testing, which may include biopsy. All patient information is then considered comprehensively to make an appropriate diagnosis.

Samsung Comprehensive Cancer Center

Advanced Interdisciplinary Treatment / One-stop Treatment

So as to provide the swiftest and most precise treatment, Samsung Comprehensive Cancer Center developed an interdisciplinary treatment system and a One-stop Consultation system. Outpatient consultation rooms and examination rooms are assigned for each type of cancer, and a Professor's Office located at the center of the inpatient ward enables speedy treatment.

Meanwhile, through interdisciplinary treatment methods, staff members at the cancer center are collaborating with relevant staffs at Samsung Medical Center to treat cancer patients' comorbid conditions such as diabetes, heart-diseases or hypertension.

Cutting-Edge Medical Equipment

Moreover, by building Korea's largest Cancer Ambulatory Treatment Center with 78 beds, Samsung Comprehensive Cancer Center made it possible for patients to receive daily anti-cancer treatment without having to be hospitalized.

To provide the highest quality treatment and care possible, Samsung Comprehensive Cancer Center has the most up-to-date medical equipments including Novalis (the most advanced radiotherapy delivery system), IGRT (Image-Guided Radiation Therapy), the Da Vinci System (high-accuracy robotic surgery system), and MR-HIFU (Magnetic Resonance-based High Intensity Focused Ultrasound).

In 2015, Samsung Comprehensive Cancer Center is scheduled to introduce Proton Therapy which would target and destroy cancerous cells more efficiently.

Reinforcing Cancer Research & Nurturing Superb Medical Human Resources

In effort to become a world-class medical institution that specializes in cancer treatment, Samsung Comprehensive Cancer Center expanded its Cancer Various measures such as Research Professor System were taken to strengthen basic and clinical research conducted within the cancer center. Moreover, to nurture superb medical professionals, Samsung Comprehensive Cancer Center had recently created various exchange programs for young and promising doctors; providing them with the opportunity to receive extensive medical training overseas at prestigious medical institutions. Additionally, the Samsung Comprehensive Cancer Center runs a variety of specialized courses in its commitment to rear experts in each medical field.

Uncommon Cancer Center

Major areas of treatment / Clinics

Neuroendocrine tumors

Diagnostic tests

The center conducts hormone and urine (5-HIAA) tests, imaging (e.g. CT, MRI, PET, Octreoscan, etc.) and biopsies.

Latest treatment methods

The primary treatment for NETs is radical resection. Depending on individual conditions, it is combined with targeted therapies and chemotherapies using octreotide, lanreotide, pasireotide, interfereon-α, everolimus, and sunitinib. In case of liver metastasis, transcathter arterial chemoembolization or radiation therapies may be considered. Recently, the latest drugs are also adopted to treat NETs as part of clinical trials.

Heart Vascular Stroke Institute