Singapore has built a reputation as one of the world's most reliable destinations for international medical travel. Its hospitals operate to rigorous standards, its specialists are trained at the world's leading institutions, and its infrastructure — English-language care, efficient logistics, direct international flights — removes most of the friction that patients face when seeking treatment abroad.
For prostate cancer specifically, Singapore offers one of the most complete treatment menus available anywhere. Robotic prostatectomy, SBRT in five sessions, precision radiotherapy with IMRT and VMAT, brachytherapy, TomoTherapy and proton therapy are all available through My1Health partner hospitals — delivered by physicians with subspecialty training in uro-oncology and radiation oncology at the highest international level.
This article covers what Raffles Hospital and Icon Cancer Centre each offer for prostate cancer, the specialists leading these programmes, the proton therapy pathway available through Proton Therapy SG, what treatment costs, and what the patient journey looks like from first contact to returning home.
Why Singapore for Prostate Cancer Treatment
English as the Clinical Language — No Communication Risk
All consultations, diagnosis, treatment planning and discharge communications at My1Health partner hospitals in Singapore take place in English. Patients from the UK, Australia, the Middle East, East Africa and across Asia communicate directly with their treating specialists without intermediaries. This is not a minor convenience — for cancer treatment decisions, clarity of communication between patient and physician is clinically important.
Specialists with the Highest International Training
The oncologists and surgeons at Raffles Hospital and Icon Cancer Centre hold fellowships and postgraduate qualifications from the UK Royal Colleges, leading US and Korean institutions, and the Academy of Medicine Singapore. Several hold academic appointments at Singapore's medical schools and have published extensively in peer-reviewed oncology journals. This is a concentration of subspecialty expertise that is comparable to major cancer centres in London or Sydney.
A Complete Treatment Menu in One City
Very few destinations outside the United States can offer robotic prostatectomy, SBRT, IMRT, TomoTherapy, brachytherapy and proton therapy in the same city through partner hospitals. Singapore offers all of these, allowing the multidisciplinary team to match the right treatment to the right case — rather than recommending the treatment the hospital happens to offer.
Proximity and Connectivity
Singapore's Changi Airport is consistently ranked among the world's best, with direct flights to over 100 countries. For patients travelling from East Africa, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia or Australia, Singapore is considerably more accessible than European or US treatment centres. Most patients can reach Singapore within five to seven hours, with no significant time zone adjustment.
Raffles Hospital: Full-Spectrum Prostate Cancer Care Under One Roof
Raffles Hospital is one of Singapore's premier private hospitals, providing comprehensive cancer care through its dedicated Raffles Cancer Centre. The hospital offers the full range of prostate cancer treatments in-house and through its Proton Therapy SG partnership, with a specialist team covering surgical, radiation and medical oncology.
Robotic and Minimally Invasive Prostatectomy — Dr. Terence Lim
Raffles Hospital's robotic prostatectomy programme is led by Dr. Terence Lim Sey Kiat, a Senior Consultant Urologist with a subspecialty in uro-oncology. Dr. Lim spent almost two decades in public healthcare and served as Chief of the Department of Urology at Changi General Hospital before entering private practice. He was a founding member of the Robotic Surgery Society of Singapore and sits on the executive committee of the Singapore Urology Association.
Dr. Terence Lim Sey Kiat — Senior Consultant Urologist Raffles Hospital — Uro-Oncology and Robotic Surgery
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Brachytherapy — Dr. Siow Woei Yun
Radioactive seed implant brachytherapy is available at Raffles Hospital, performed by Dr. Siow Woei Yun. Brachytherapy places radioactive seeds directly inside the prostate, delivering highly localised radiation over time. It is a well-established treatment for localised low to intermediate-risk prostate cancer, typically requiring a short hospital stay.
SBRT, IMRT, VMAT and IGRT — Precision Radiotherapy
Raffles Cancer Centre provides the full range of precision external-beam radiotherapy techniques for prostate cancer. SBRT — the delivery of high-dose radiation in just five sessions — is available as an alternative to conventional radiotherapy, offering a significantly shorter treatment course without compromising efficacy. IMRT, VMAT and IGRT are available for patients requiring conventional fractionation or in combination with other modalities.
Proton Therapy — Via Proton Therapy SG
For patients for whom proton therapy is clinically recommended, Raffles Hospital facilitates treatment through its formal partnership with Proton Therapy SG, located at Biopolis Drive. The clinical team coordinates the referral, treatment planning and logistics between Raffles and the proton therapy centre, ensuring continuity of care throughout.
Icon Cancer Centre: Precision Radiation Oncology and Surgical Access
Icon Cancer Centre is a specialist oncology centre with a strong focus on precision radiation therapy, operating across Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region. For prostate cancer, Icon offers one of the most comprehensive radiation treatment menus available in Singapore, including TomoTherapy — a modality not confirmed at Raffles — alongside surgical access via visiting consultants at Mount Alvernia Hospital.
Radiation Oncology — Dr. Choo Bok Ai
Dr. Choo Bok Ai is the Senior Radiation Oncologist at Icon Cancer Centre with 22 years of clinical experience in cancer treatment. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists (UK), trained at the University of Aberdeen and the Birmingham Cancer Centre, and a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine Singapore. He served as Chairman of the Chapter of Radiation Oncology at the Academy of Medicine Singapore for four years and was an Assistant Professor in Medicine at the National University of Singapore from 2011 to 2018.
Dr. Choo Bok Ai — Senior Radiation Oncologist Icon Cancer Centre — Prostate, Breast, Gynaecological and Head and Neck Cancer
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Brachytherapy — MRI-Guided, Singapore-First
Dr. Choo Bok Ai performed the first MRI-guided brachytherapy in Singapore. MRI guidance allows the physician to visualise the prostate and surrounding structures with significantly greater clarity than ultrasound guidance alone, enabling more precise placement of radioactive sources and reducing dose to the urethra and adjacent organs. For patients for whom brachytherapy is the recommended treatment path, this level of precision represents a meaningful clinical advantage.
TomoTherapy — Continuous 360-Degree Radiation Delivery
Icon Cancer Centre offers TomoTherapy, which is not confirmed at Raffles Hospital among My1Health Singapore partners. TomoTherapy delivers radiation in a continuous helical arc — rotating 360 degrees around the patient and treating the tumour slice by slice. This allows all areas of the prostate to receive radiation from multiple angles simultaneously, conforming tightly to the tumour volume while sparing surrounding structures. It is particularly well suited to cases where tumour geometry or proximity to critical organs requires highly precise dose shaping.
SBRT, IMRT, VMAT and IGRT
Icon's full suite of precision external-beam radiotherapy is available for prostate cancer, including SBRT in five sessions. Icon also uses Triggered Imaging on its TrueBeam linear accelerator — a technique specific to that platform that enables visual confirmation that the prostate is being accurately targeted during each session, accounting for real-time movement of the gland.
Radical Prostatectomy — Via Visiting Surgeons at Mount Alvernia Hospital
Surgical prostatectomy at Icon is facilitated through visiting consultant urologists operating at Mount Alvernia Hospital. Patients whose treatment recommendation is robotic prostatectomy are coordinated to the appropriate surgical team, with Icon's oncology programme continuing to manage radiation and medical oncology components of the care plan where relevant.
Proton Therapy — Via Proton Therapy SG
Icon Cancer Centre has a formal partnership with Proton Therapy SG at Biopolis Drive, the same facility used by Raffles. International patients who require proton therapy are referred through this pathway, with Icon coordinating the treatment plan and ongoing oncology management.
Proton Therapy in Singapore: The Proton Therapy SG Partnership
Proton Therapy SG is an independent proton therapy centre located at Biopolis Drive, Singapore, and operates the only private proton beam facility accessible through both Raffles Hospital and Icon Cancer Centre. Proton therapy has been available in Singapore's private sector since 2023. The centre provides treatment for prostate cancer and other solid tumours, with dedicated support for international patients.
- Sub-millimetre precision targeting, minimising dose to the bladder, rectum and neurovascular structures.
- Outpatient treatment — no hospitalisation required for most cases.
- Treatment sessions are typically 30 minutes including set-up, with proton beam delivery completed in approximately 5 minutes per session.
- International patients are supported throughout the intake, planning and treatment process. Guidance on insurance and health authority funding is available for selected cases.
- Packages start from SGD $40,000 (approximately $30,000 USD) — substantially lower than US pricing of $150,000 to $250,000 for equivalent treatment.
Both Raffles Hospital and Icon Cancer Centre manage the referral, pre-treatment planning coordination and post-treatment oncology follow-up for patients receiving proton therapy through Proton Therapy SG. The pathway is integrated into the overall care plan, not a separate standalone referral.
Treatment Options Side-by-Side: Raffles and Icon Compared
The table below summarises the prostate cancer treatments available at each My1Health partner hospital in Singapore, with specialist and programme notes where relevant.
| Treatment | Raffles Hospital | Icon Cancer Centre | ||
| Robotic / Minimally Invasive Prostatectomy | ✅ | In-house. Led by Dr. Terence Lim. 700+ robotic procedures. First in Singapore to perform Retzius-sparing robotic prostatectomy. | ✅ | Via visiting surgeons at Mount Alvernia Hospital. |
| SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy) | ✅ | High-dose radiotherapy completed in 5 sessions. | ✅ | High-dose radiotherapy in 5 sessions. |
| IMRT / VMAT / IGRT | ✅ | Full suite of precision external-beam radiotherapy techniques. | ✅ | Full suite of precision radiotherapy. Triggered Imaging on TrueBeam for prostate-specific targeting. |
| TomoTherapy | — | Not confirmed. | ✅ | Continuous 360-degree helical radiation delivery. Unique to Icon among My1Health Singapore partners. |
| Brachytherapy | ✅ | Radioactive seed implant available. | ✅ | Led by Dr. Choo Bok Ai. First MRI-guided brachytherapy in Singapore. |
| Proton Therapy | ✅ | Via formal partnership with Proton Therapy SG (Biopolis Drive). | ✅ | Via formal partnership with Proton Therapy SG (Biopolis Drive). |
Treatment availability is based on verified information from My1Health partner hospitals as of 2025 to 2026. Where a treatment is facilitated via a partner facility or visiting consultant, this is indicated. Individual treatment recommendations depend on clinical assessment by the treating team. My1Health patient support specialists can assist in identifying the most appropriate hospital and treatment pathway for each patient's specific case.
Cost of Prostate Cancer Treatment in Singapore
Singapore's prostate cancer treatment costs are substantially lower than in the United States or private healthcare in the United Kingdom, while remaining higher than destinations such as India or Turkey. The difference reflects Singapore's advanced infrastructure, the depth of specialist expertise available, and the English-language care environment. For patients who prioritise minimising communication complexity, who prefer proximity within Asia, or for whom specific modalities such as MRI-guided brachytherapy or TomoTherapy are recommended, Singapore's cost-to-quality ratio is highly competitive.
| Treatment | Approx. Cost in Singapore (USD) | Approx. Cost in USA / UK (USD) | Indicative Saving |
| Robotic Prostatectomy (Da Vinci) | ~$12,000–$18,000 | $25,000–$45,000 (USA) | 50–70% |
| SBRT (5 sessions) | ~$8,000–$14,000 | $15,000–$25,000 (USA) | 40–55% |
| IMRT / VMAT (full course) | ~$12,000–$18,000 | $20,000–$35,000 (USA) | 40–55% |
| Brachytherapy | ~$10,000–$15,000 | $20,000–$30,000 (USA) | 40–50% |
| Proton Therapy (full course) | SGD $40,000+ (~$30,000 USD) | $150,000–$250,000 (USA) | 75–85% |
| TomoTherapy (full course) | ~$12,000–$18,000 | $20,000–$35,000 (USA) | 40–55% |
Costs are approximate international patient ranges based on verified Singapore market data as of 2025 to 2026. Final costs depend on the specific hospital, treating specialist, treatment protocol, number of sessions and whether combination treatments are required. My1Health patient support specialists can provide a personalised cost estimate based on your diagnosis and medical records. Proton therapy costs start from SGD $40,000 at Proton Therapy SG.
What Your Trip to Singapore Looks Like
Before You Travel
- My1Health arranges a remote pre-travel consultation with your chosen hospital so your case is reviewed by the treating specialist before you book flights.
- Your medical records, imaging and biopsy results are reviewed in advance. A written treatment plan and personalised cost estimate are provided.
- My1Health coordinates airport transfers, hospital registration and accommodation recommendations near the hospital.
On Arrival
- Most patients complete pre-treatment assessment on arrival day or the next morning, keeping the overall visit as short as possible.
- For SBRT, the full treatment course — 5 sessions over 10 to 14 days — can be completed in a single trip of approximately two weeks.
- For robotic prostatectomy, a hospital stay of 2 to 3 nights is typical, with a recommended total stay in Singapore of 10 to 14 days including post-operative recovery before flying.
Proton Therapy: Timeline
- Treatment planning on arrival: 3 to 5 days.
- Proton beam sessions: delivered as outpatient over 4 to 7 weeks depending on protocol.
- Most international patients arrange accommodation near Biopolis or central Singapore and maintain a normal daily routine between sessions.
Returning Home
- Before discharge, patients receive a full clinical summary, follow-up monitoring schedule and medication instructions.
- My1Health coordinates ongoing communication between your Singapore hospital and your GP or oncologist at home, ensuring continuity of care after you return.
Continue Reading
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Prostate Cancer Treatment Abroad: Advanced Options That Protect Your Quality of Life
Compare all four destinations:
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Proton therapy at Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, India:
Prostate Cancer and Proton Therapy at Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai
