Samsung Medical Center
Targeted therapy in the Republic of Korea typically costs from $5,500 to $11,500. Final expenses depend on the drug type, mutation profile, and the specific hospital tier. In the US, patients pay $40,000 on average for similar oncology treatments. Patients choosing South Korea can save approximately 79%. These costs usually cover the medication, expert consultations, and essential diagnostic monitoring.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Choosing a facility like Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH) offers unique value through its status as the first fully digital hospital in Korea. This digital integration helps reduce medical errors. For those seeking presidential-level care, Samsung Medical Center and Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) are the gold standard. These centers are frequently credited by Newsweek as World's Best Hospitals. Many top-tier Korean centers like Severance Hospital and Korea University Anam Hospital hold Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, ensuring Western safety standards at significant savings.
Why do patients choose the Republic of Korea for targeted therapy?
Access advanced Targeted therapy solutions in trusted clinics .
| Republic of Korea | Turkey | Austria | |
| Targeted therapy | from $5,500 | from $1,000 | from $12,000 |
| Lutetium-177 therapy | from $13,500 | from $8,800 | from $35,000 |
| Oncothermia | - | from $450 | - |
| Actinium-225 Therapy | - | from $22,955 | from $55,000 |
No hidden fees – just official clinic prices. Pay at the clinic for Targeted therapy upon arrival and use a flexible installment plan if needed.
Bookimed is committed to your safety. We only work with medical institutions that maintain high international standards in Targeted therapy 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 Targeted therapy journey.
Day 1: Arrival
Day 2: Pre-Operation Stage
Day 3: Targeted Therapy
Day 4: Post-Operation Stage
Week 1-2: Rehabilitation
Please note that each patient"s case is individual and can vary.
What patients like:
What patients don't like:
The doctor is a leading breast cancer specialist in South Korea and is recognized among the world’s top 100 gastric and breast cancer surgeons. The doctor pioneered breast conserving surgery in South Korea in 1986 and invented a unique stomach cancer surgery that minimizes the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The doctor currently heads the Cancer Center for Women at Ewha Womans University Medical Center and has previously served as President of Konkuk University Hospital and Director of Korea Cancer Center Hospital. The doctor is also an active researcher in breast cancer diagnosis and management.
The doctor is a leading specialist in the treatment of breast cancer, with extensive training and experience. He completed his training and internship at Yonsei University Medical Center in South Korea and worked as a surgeon at the Yonsei Cancer Center.
From 2011 to 2013, he served as a consultant professor in the breast cancer department at Anderson University in the USA. His research focuses on the treatment of breast cancer using hormonal and chemotherapy drugs.
The doctor is a member of the Korean Medical Association, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Association for Cancer Research.
The doctor heads the Division of Hematology-Oncology and graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine.
Specializes in lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and esophageal cancer. Holds memberships in several prestigious organizations, including the Korean Medical Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the European Society of Medical Oncology.
The doctor is an expert in oncoplastic surgery and breast cancer, with extensive experience from prestigious institutions. The doctor holds an M.D. degree from Seoul National University College of Medicine and an M.S. degree in Surgery from the same institution. Additionally, the doctor earned a B.S. in biological sciences from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and a Ph.D. in Surgery from Seoul National University Graduate School.
Written by Anna Shchur
When considering Targeted therapy, it’s important to understand the different techniques and which is best suited for you. Here’s a concise comparison of popular options:
Lutetium-177 therapy is a targeted radiotherapy utilizing the Lutetium-177 radioisotope to treat certain cancers effectively.
South Korea offers extensive targeted therapy for common cancers like lung, breast, and colorectal but does not cover every type. Availability depends on specific genetic mutations identified through NGS testing. Major institutions like Samsung Medical Center and Severance Hospital provide advanced drugs for cases with approved biomarkers.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While targeted therapy costs start at $5,500, real-world value comes from South Korea’s rapid drug approval cycle. Samsung Medical Center and Seoul National University Hospital often provide access to new therapies years before other regions. This makes Korea a strategic choice for patients seeking the latest FDA-approved molecules that are not yet regional standards.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize getting NGS biomarker testing early at major hospitals to unlock treatment options. Many travelers note that while drugs for common mutations are accessible, off-label treatments for rare cases remain expensive without local insurance.
South Korea's top hospitals for targeted therapy include Samsung Medical Center, Severance Hospital, and Seoul National University Hospital. These institutions distinguish themselves through high-volume genomic analysis, Next-Generation Sequencing, and multidisciplinary teams that match specific genetic mutations to precise drug regimens for complex cancers.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Samsung Medical Center and Seoul National University Hospital serve a combined 3.6 million patients annually. This massive volume allows their specialists to encounter rare genetic mutations more frequently than most Western centers. This deep data pool directly improves the accuracy of their Next-Generation Sequencing panels for therapy matching.
Patient Consensus: Patients value the speed of genomic mapping, which often takes only days. Many suggest requesting Next-Generation Sequencing upfront to ensure the most effective therapy match immediately.
South Korean National Health Insurance (NHI) covers many targeted therapies, typically reducing patient costs to 5% of the total medical bill for reimbursed treatments. Coverage depends on specific drug approval for the patient's cancer type and stage as determined by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA).
Bookimed Expert Insight: While NHI offers significant savings, university hospitals like Severance Hospital or Samsung Medical Center often have higher approval odds for complex cases. These top-tier facilities participate in international clinical trials, providing access to cutting-edge therapies before they reach the official reimbursement list.
Patient Consensus: Patients report that while coverage is generous compared to US costs, the bureaucracy can cause delays. Many recommend bringing detailed genetic reports to speed up the authorization process at major Seoul hospitals.
South Korea accelerates access to targeted drugs through the GIFT (Global Innovative Products on Fast Track) system and the 2025 approval reforms. These pathways prioritize severe or rare diseases. They aim to reduce regulatory review timelines from 420 days to approximately 295 days.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Samsung Medical Center and Severance Hospital often provide the fastest access through named patient programs. These programs allow patients to receive new drugs 3–6 months before official reimbursement. In some cases, these medications are available at 20–50% of the standard US price.
Patient Consensus: Patients report that the prior approval system through major Seoul hospitals can secure insurance coverage for advanced lung cancer drugs like Tagrisso within just a few days.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) supervises targeted therapy in the Republic of Korea under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act. This framework distinguishes between small-molecule drugs and advanced biological products. Specialized systems like the GIFT program and ARMAB Act accelerate access to innovative cancer treatments.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Clinical data from top-tier institutions like Samsung Medical Center and Seoul National University Hospital shows a unique regulatory advantage. These major academic centers often navigate the MFDS approval process for targeted therapies 6 to 12 months faster than the FDA. This speed allows patients to access newer Japanese or European therapies before they reach the US market.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that MFDS approval does not guarantee insurance coverage. Many coordinate with hospital networks to manage out-of-pocket costs for non-reimbursed agents through pharmaceutical assistance programs.