Cancer Treatment at Samsung Medical Centre in Seoul, South Korea
Ranked No. 3 globally for cancer by Newsweek, with 97.6% breast cancer survival and CAR-T cell therapy and proton therapy for complex tumours.
Why International Patients Choose Samsung Medical Centre for Cancer Treatment in South Korea
Samsung Medical Centre is Asia's top-ranked hospital for cancer treatment and outcomes.
- Asia's largest single-building cancer hospital, with 17 specialised cancer centres.
- Advanced cancer treatments including 7,000+ proton therapy patients treated at SMC.
- Ranked No. 3 globally for cancer by Newsweek (2025, 2026).
- Video consultations with SMC oncologists before you travel.
- Korea's first CAR-T Cell centre and Asia's No. 1 cancer hospital, treating brain tumours, blood cancers, and solid tumours.
- Interpretation in Arabic, Russian, Mongolian, Chinese, and Vietnamese for inpatients.
Cancer Treatment Technology at SMC in Seoul
- Pencil Beam Proton Therapy
- Gamma Knife Icon
- Da Vinci Robotic Surgery
- CAR-T Cell Therapy
- PSMA PET Imaging
- Next-Generation Sequencing
- Fluorescence-Guided Surgery
- Intraoperative Mobile CT
Cancer Treatments at SMC, South Korea for International Patients
Every treatment plan at Samsung Medical Centre follows your diagnosis, cancer stage, and clinical history.
Proton Therapy
Delivers high-dose radiation precisely to the tumour using pencil beam scanning, protecting surrounding healthy tissue across lung, liver, brain, prostate, and paediatric cancers.
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CAR-T Cell Therapy
Uses the patient's own modified immune cells to seek and destroy cancer cells; Korea's first CAR-T centre, treating relapsed blood cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
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Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
Destroys brain tumours with focused radiation and no incisions or general anaesthesia; only hospital in Korea with two Gamma Knife Icon units, with 20,000+ cases as of 2023.
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Robotic Cancer Surgery
Removes tumours through small incisions with real-time 3D robotic precision using 9 Da Vinci systems, the most at any single hospital in Korea, across prostate, colorectal, gastric, lung, and gynaecological cancers.
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Chemotherapy
Targeted medicines to destroy rapidly dividing cancer cells, delivering 3,000+ treatment cycles per year guided by next-generation sequencing for personalised dosing across breast, lung, colorectal, and haematological cancers.
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Immunotherapy
Activates the immune system to find and attack cancer cells through outpatient infusion cycles, with active participation in multinational clinical trials for lung, melanoma, bladder, kidney, and lymphoma cancers.
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Targeted Therapy
Blocks the specific genetic signals driving tumour growth based on NGS molecular profiling, with experience across 10,000+ genomic cases for breast, colorectal, lung, liver, and prostate cancers.
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Care Journey for International Patients
Your cancer treatment journey made simple and stress-free in 5 easy steps
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1
Online inquiry & medical files upload Share your medical reports for review. It takes less than a minute.
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2
Doctor review & treatment plan Within 24hrs you will receive treatment options & a preliminary plan before travel.
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3
Travel coordination We arrange your visa, flights, and accommodation.
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4
Treatment phase Full care under a dedicated case manager.
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5
Start your treatment Begin treatment with full support from our care team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question? Our support team is here to guide you through each step of your treatment journey with personal care and attention.Can my cancer case be reviewed before I travel?
Yes. Submit your diagnosis, imaging, and medical history through My 1Health before you travel.
The SMC oncology team confirms whether treatment is appropriate and outlines the expected approach, giving you clinical clarity before any travel costs are incurred.
How do I contact the international cancer team at Samsung Medical Centre?
Reach Samsung Medical Centre's cancer team through My 1Health.
- WhatsApp: +1 718 550 0880
- Telephone: +1 718 550 0880
- Email: [email protected]
Share your diagnosis, recent scans or pathology reports, and a brief medical summary to begin. The SMC oncology team reviews your case and provides the treatment plan and estimate.
How do Samsung Medical Centre's cancer survival rates compare internationally?
SMC's 5-year survival rates consistently outperform both Korean national averages and US SEER benchmarks, based on published outcomes from 2008 to 2022.
- Breast: 97.6% (US SEER: 91.7%)
- Stomach: 89.1% (US SEER: 37.9%)
- Colorectal: 84.3% (US SEER: 65.4%)
- Liver: 61.2% (US SEER: 22.0%)
- Lung: 63.6% (US SEER: 28.1%)
- Pancreas: 23.5% (US SEER: 13.3%)
How long will I need to stay in South Korea for cancer treatment?
Stay duration depends on your treatment type:
- Proton therapy: 4 to 8 weeks (outpatient daily sessions)
- CAR-T cell therapy: 3 to 4 weeks minimum (inpatient)
- Bone marrow transplant (BMT): 4 to 8 weeks or longer
- Surgical oncology: 5 to 7 days in hospital, plus short recovery before flying
Your coordinator provides a specific itinerary once the oncology team confirms your plan.
How much does cancer treatment cost at Samsung Medical Centre?
There is no fixed price. Cost depends on your cancer type, specific procedures, length of stay, and individual clinical plan. Once My 1Health submits your case and the oncology team reviews it, a personalised estimate is prepared. An 80% deposit is required before admission for self-pay international patients.
What cancers can international patients treat at Samsung Medical Centre?
Samsung Medical Centre treats 17+ cancer types across dedicated oncology centres, welcoming patients from 120+ countries. Adults and children are both treated.
Conditions include breast, lung, colorectal, gastric, liver, brain tumours, prostate, pancreatic, cervical, and blood cancers (leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma), plus rare cancers including neuroendocrine tumours and sarcoma. CAR-T cell therapy, proton therapy, and BMT are all available to eligible international patients.
