Samsung Medical Center
Oncology treatment in South Korea typically costs from AUD $24,337 to AUD $60,772. Final figures depend on the cancer stage, chosen technology like robotic systems, and the hospital tier. Patients generally save 30% to 70% compared to private healthcare costs in Australia.
Typical Oncology Costs in South Korea
Major medical hubs include Seoul, Bundang, and Suwon. Seoul-based university hospitals often charge 15–20% more than regional centres. For Australians, South Korea offers world-leading technology and much faster access to treatment than local public waitlists. Request a consultation with a specialist to get accurate pricing for your case.
| Republic of Korea | Thailand | Turkey | |
| Thyroid resection | from AUD $7,034 | from AUD $9,847 | from AUD $2,884 |
| Stomach cancer surgery | from AUD $26,025 | from AUD $21,102 | from AUD $11,958 |
| Removal of spinal cord tumor | from AUD $28,839 | from AUD $42,203 | from AUD $5,908 |
| Removal of liver cancer | from AUD $16,248 | from AUD $28,135 | from AUD $15,193 |
| Removal of colon cancer | from AUD $21,383 | from AUD $23,915 | from AUD $20,257 |
No hidden fees – just official clinic prices. Pay at the clinic for Oncology treatment upon arrival and use a flexible instalment plan if needed.
Bookimed is committed to your safety. We only work with medical institutions that maintain high international standards in Oncology treatment and have the necessary licenses to serve international patients worldwide.
Bookimed offers free expert assistance. A personal medical coordinator supports you before, during, and after your treatment, solving any issues. You're never alone on your Oncology treatment journey.
Dr. Yu Yeonghun is a gastrointestinal surgeon with a Ph.D. in Medicine. He specializes in hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) diseases and cancers. His focus includes liver, pancreas, biliary tract, and gallbladder cancers, as well as cholelithiasis and other gallbladder diseases.
He completed his internship and general surgery residency at CHA Bundang Medical Center. He then finished an HPB surgery fellowship at Samsung Medical Center. He has served as Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at Konkuk University Choongju Hospital and at Samsung Medical Center. He later became Professor of Surgery at Eulji University Hospital.
He is a Lifetime Member of The Korean Surgical Society and the Korean Association of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery (KAHBPS). He serves on the KAHBPS Planning Committee and Tumor Registry Committee.
Dr. Lee Jihyeon is a breast and thyroid surgeon. He has expertise in benign and malignant breast diseases, oncoplastic breast surgery, and Mammotome biopsy. He also treats thyroid and parathyroid diseases. He practices pulmonary intensive care (critical care medicine).
He earned his M.D. from Yonsei University College of Medicine. He completed an internship and a general surgery residency at Yonsei University Severance Hospital. He also pursued a short-term fellowship at the Cancer Institute Hospital of JFCR in Japan.
His past roles include Chief of Surgery at Incheon Christian Hospital and Attending Surgeon at Cheil General Hospital. He served as Director of the Breast Center and as Chairman and Chief of Surgery at Samsung Cheil Hospital. He was Chairman of Surgery and Vice President of Medical Affairs at Cheil General Hospital. He also served as Clinical Professor of Surgery at Gangnam CHA Hospital, CHA University.
Dr. Kim Taekhyeon is a gastrointestinal surgeon and the Chief of Gastrointestinal Surgery at Naeun Hospital. He received his M.D. and M.S. from Chung-Ang University College of Medicine. He completed an internship at Sungae Hospital and a general surgery residency at Chung-Ang University Hospital. He then finished a fellowship in gastrointestinal surgery at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital. He previously served as an attending surgeon at Gwangmyeong Sungae Hospital.
His research covers survivin and HSP90 in colorectal cancer, second primary cancers in patients with gastric cancer, and Borrmann type IV gastric carcinoma. He reported outcomes of laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair in 92 cases. His clinical practice includes cancers and diseases of the stomach, esophagus, and small bowel. He also treats hernias, gallstones and cholecystitis, appendicitis, anal disease, varicose veins, and burns.
Dr. Lee Chunyong is a urologist with a PhD in Medicine from Hanyang University College of Medicine. His clinical focus includes kidney and urinary stones (ESWL), prostate diseases (BPH, prostate cancer, prostatitis), sexual dysfunction, vasectomy, cystitis, urinary incontinence, and voiding dysfunction.
He has served as Director of Hanyang University Hospital. He was Chairman and Chief Professor of the Department of Urology at Hanyang University College of Medicine. He served as President and later Honorary President of the Korean Endourological Society. He was also a Board Member of the Société Internationale d'Urologie.
His international roles include Visiting Fellow at UCLA and Visiting Professor at the University of Tübingen. He was featured twice on EBS “Best Doctors,” covering prostatic diseases and kidney and urinary stones.
The Republic of Korea reports a 73.7% overall 5-year relative cancer survival rate. This frequently outperforms other high-income nations. These outcomes are driven by mandatory national screening and high hospital volumes. Centres like Severance Hospital lead in robotic and targeted therapies.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data suggests Korea’s survival advantage is linked to hospital volume and infrastructure. High-capacity centres like Severance Hospital and Samsung Medical Center treat over 2,000,000 patients annually. This massive scale allows doctors to specialise intensely. For example, Dr Paik Nam-sun at Ewha Womans University Medical Center is recognised globally for pioneering breast-conserving techniques. Large centres also use digital systems like BESTcare to reduce errors and start treatment faster.
Patient Consensus: Patients in the Republic of Korea find the medical staff attentive and the diagnostic equipment excellent. They note that fast access to specialists provides a positive outlook during treatment. Clear multidisciplinary plans also improve their experience.
South Korea routinely uses heavy ion therapy, proton beam therapy, and da Vinci robotic systems for cancer care. Major centres like Severance Hospital and Samsung Medical Center integrate these with AI-driven diagnostics. Multidisciplinary teams use precision genetic profiling to tailor immunotherapy and targeted drug regimens.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Samsung Medical Center serves over 2,000,000 patients annually and performs 45,000+ operations. This massive volume allows their doctors to maintain rare proficiency in robotic and particle therapies. For Australian patients, this level of clinical experience often exceeds what is available at smaller local units.
Patient Consensus: Patients in the Republic of Korea report that diagnostics like PET/CT and MRI are completed remarkably fast. They feel reassured by the professional translators and the hospital environments that offer hope during treatment.
South Korean specialists frequently treat stomach, thyroid, lung, colorectal, breast, and liver cancers. These centres maintain exceptional success rates. They report a 77% survival rate for gastric cancer and nearly 100% for thyroid cases. High volumes at facilities like Samsung Medical Center drive clinical expertise in robotic and minimally invasive surgeries.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data suggests Korea is the global benchmark for gastric cancer. This is because specialists there handle unparalleled case volumes. For example, Samsung Medical Center treats over 2,000,000 patients annually. This throughput allows doctors like Prof. Dr Paik Nam-sun to develop proprietary surgical methods. These techniques specifically reduce post-operative complications like reflux disease.
Patient Consensus: Patients in South Korea appreciate the professional translators and streamlined diagnostics. They note that multiple tests often begin the day they arrive. Many highlight the impressive equipment and the comfort of multidisciplinary care for breast or gastric cancers.
Oncology centres in the Republic of Korea require original diagnostic images in DICOM format on a CD or USB. Patients must also provide official pathology reports in English or Korean. Doctors often require physical tissue slides or paraffin blocks for local re-testing to confirm staging.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Top Seoul centres like Seoul National University Bundang Hospital use the BESTcare digital system. This allows staff to upload external CD files into local systems instantly. Patients should arrive 15 minutes early to allow this digital integration. This avoids delays during the specialist consultation.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that bringing duplicate sets of original DICOM files and pathology blocks is essential. Korean doctors often perform a thorough third opinion. They use original files rather than just summaries for precise treatment planning.
Traditional integrated therapies are widely available in the Republic of Korea. A dual medical system allows modern oncology and Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) to coexist legally. Major university hospitals combine chemotherapy with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and moxibustion to manage side effects.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Many Australians focus on Seoul. However, Incheon-based centres like Na-Eun Hospital and Gachon University Gil Medical Center handle 20,000 to 38,000 patients annually. These facilities often offer faster access to multidisciplinary consultations. Speed is critical when coordinating Western treatments with traditional supportive therapies. This helps to confirm they do not interfere with chemotherapy cycles.
Patient Consensus: Patients in the Republic of Korea find the transition between diagnostic tests and traditional support seamless. This is due to professional interpreters and efficient hospital transfers. They note that doctors provide a positive outlook using integrated care plans.
Caregivers in Republic of Korea oncology wards are known as guardians. They must follow strict rules based on the ward type. Standard wards require one adult guardian present 24/7 to help with daily living. Comprehensive nursing wards prohibit overnight family stays. In these wards, hospital staff handle all hygiene and mobility tasks.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Samsung Medical Center and Severance Hospital use digital systems like BESTcare to track patient needs. Patients in 5-bed rooms often report high satisfaction when using these integrated nursing services. These wards remove the need for family to provide physical labour. However, they require formal consent to follow staff-led care protocols.
Patient Consensus: Patients find the hospital environment professional. They note that translators stay nearby during complex diagnostics. While ward conditions vary, constant attention from medical staff provides security during intensive treatment in Republic of Korea.