Oncology treatment in South Korea typically costs from $17,300 to $42,500. Total expenses depend on the cancer stage, chosen therapy protocol, and the length of hospitalization required for recovery. Patients seeking care here can expect 30-50% savings compared to the United States for advanced medical services.
Typical Oncology Costs in South Korea
Most specialized oncology centers are located in Seoul, Incheon, and Daegu. While Seoul hosts the largest university hospitals, clinics in Gyeonggi-do or Incheon may offer more competitive pricing for similar treatment plans. Consult with a specialist to get accurate pricing for your specific diagnosis.
| Republic of Korea | Turkey | Austria | |
| Thyroid resection | from $5,000 | from $3,500 | from $10,000 |
| Stomach cancer surgery | from $18,500 | from $22,320 | from $30,000 |
| Removal of spinal cord tumor | from $20,500 | from $9,650 | from $50,000 |
| Removal of liver cancer | from $11,550 | from $10,800 | from $40,000 |
| Removal of colon cancer | from $15,200 | from $14,400 | from $20,000 |
No hidden fees – just official clinic prices. Pay at the clinic for Oncology treatment upon arrival and use a flexible installment plan if needed.
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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.
Head of Breast & Thyroid Surgery at Na-Eun Hospital – Dr. Lee focuses exclusively on breast and thyroid conditions, including cancer and benign diseases.
Dr. Son Dong Wan, MD, PhD, is the Chief of Urology at Naeun Hospital. He specializes in urologic oncology, urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and laser prostate surgery. He performs robotic and laparoscopic surgery for cancers of the prostate, bladder, ureter, and kidney. He also treats ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction.
He earned his PhD from Pusan National University. He completed his internship and residency at Pusan National University Hospital. He is a former Chief at Wallace Memorial Baptist Hospital. He served as a Professor at the Catholic University College of Medicine. He was a Clinical Fellow at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. He was a Visiting Professor at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). He completed training in urinary incontinence surgery at the University of Liège.
Awards include the Excellent Paper Award (2007) and the Academic Achievement Award (2014) from the Korean Continence Society. He also received the Best Poster Award from the European Association of Urology (2013).
Specializes in radiosurgery with CyberKnife technology at Samsung Medical Center, offering precise, non-invasive tumor treatments.
Specializes in thoracic surgery at Samsung Medical Center – one of South Korea's top institutions for lung cancer treatment.
Written by Kateryna Zamkovska
Written by Anna Leonova
Written by Anna Shchur
Written by Kateryna Zamkovska
Written by Kateryna Zamkovska
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.
Currency | South Korean Won (you also can pay for services in dollars) |
Best period for the trip | April, May & June or September, October & November. |
Language | Korean (most of medical staff speaks English fluently) |
Visa | none required for stays under 90 days or less |
Time difference with Europe | 9 hours |
Time difference with the USA | 9 hours |
Capital | Seoul |
Medical tourism center | Seoul |
Popular resorts | Gangwon-do, Gyeongju, Boseong, Jeju |
Healthcare is the key development sector of the Korean government. The Korean authorities are convinced that care for the citizens' health should be an absolute priority of state policy and spend about 1 billion a year for medical tourists attraction.
According to Mark Britnell, hospitals dominate the health system. 94% of hospitals are privately owned.
In South Korea, hotels of different price ranges and service levels are presented. Most tourists choose 4 and 5 star hotels with all-inclusive meals. Such hotels have everything for a comfortable stay: varied food, a large well-groomed territory, animation for children and adults. Some hotels have their own water park, which guests can use for free. Budget travelers can afford to book an economical 3-star hotel with half board or no meals at all.
Today, South Korea has visa-free agreements with 112 states. None visa is required for stays under 90 days or less. To stay longer in this country, you need a visa. What states need a visa for treatment in South Korea and what countries can cross the border free and easy read here.
Visas for travel to South Korea require a number of documents. The necessary papers can be submitted 90 days before the planned departure. Lists of documents includes:
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