Advanced infrastructure, cutting-edge techniques and a sensitive approach make Medical Korea an attractive destination
South Korea’s expertise in cancer treatment and assisted reproductive technology is attracting a steady stream of female patients from the Middle East. The country is renown for having the world’s highest breast cancer survival rate as well as the world’s highest survival rate for thyroid cancer.
For decades, South Korea has witnessed a high incidence of cancer, which has resulted in the country making significant investments in research and development, and enabling it to pioneer many innovative treatments.
It has built a world-class infrastructure, developed cutting-edge technology and invested in human resources, which has improved outcomes for patients. In addition, researchers regularly conduct studies to enhance treatment techniques, particularly for complex operations. Thanks to these efforts, the five-year survival rate for cancer patients has risen to 70.4 per cent. The country has achieved outstanding results in the treatment of various cancers affecting the liver, gall bladder, pancreas, stomach and prostrate in addition to the most common cancers seen in women, such as breast, colorectal, lung, cervical
and thyroid cancer.
Breast cancer
With the world’s highest survival rate for breast cancer, South Korea attracts many foreign female patients. The country is renown for its top-class oncoplastic breast reconstruction with free tumour margins, which is done by leading plastic surgeons immediately following breast cancer surgery.
South Korea’s physicians have proved the safety and feasibility of using sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients clinically suspected of axillary lymph node metastasis, which has now become the standard for breast cancer surgery.
Colorectal cancer
For colorectal cancer, South Korea’s surgeons use a sphincter-saving minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure for low rectal cancer. The country was the first in the world to successfully perform both the operations. It has attained survival rates of 95-98 per cent for stage 1 colorectal cancer cases and the world’s highest survival rate for advanced colorectal cancer patients.
South Korea is also a leader in broncho-plasty, the reconstruction or repair of the bronchus to restore function. The country’s five-year survival rate of 62.8 per cent is higher than the worldwide average.
South Korea also has the world’s best treatment outcomes for stages 2 and 3 lung cancer patients.
World leader in thyroid cancer treatment
Thyroid cancer is another field where South Korea shines, with its expertise in endoscopic and robotic thyroidectomy. It has the world’s highest survival rate of 99.8 per cent, which makes it a hugely attractive destination for foreign patients seeking treatment for thyroid cancer. In fact, it is for this treatment, that the largest number of medical travellers visit the country each year.
South Korea’s development of the world’s first advanced robotic thyroidectomy through incisions in the armpit rather than through the neck has improved patients’ quality of life has contributed significantly to its success in this field.
The country’s focus on providing the most advanced treatment using state-of-the-art equipment at a reasonable cost compared to developed nations makes it a particularly attractive destination for patients from around the world. Its cancer centres are designed to be one-stop destinations for prevention, examination, treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare, where multidisciplinary teams of medical oncologists, radiation therapists and other specialists work together under one roof to provide 360-degree care.
Assisted reproductive technology
Just like cancer treatment, South Korea has established itself as a global leader in assisted reproductive technology (ART) with its sensitive approach, providing hope to women and couples from around the world including the Middle East. The country has been able to develop its expertise and experience in ART with the national support extended to couples facing infertility issues. It offers advanced treatments in ART, such as in vitro maturation for IVF, cryopreservation and fertility preservation, blastocyst transfer, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)/ preimplantation genetic screening (PGS), time-lapse embryo monitoring, treatment of male infertility, reproductive surgery, treatment of recurrent miscarriage and repeated IVF failures, and third-party reproduction including surrogacy.
