- - Reasons Why a Singaporean Doctor with Stage 3 Stomach Cancer Chose to Have Surgery in South Korea
    
    08/30/2024
    
    1.1K
    
    좋아요
    
    0
    
    스크랩
    
    0
  - Korea_Medical_Tourism
    
    Cancer
    
    Critical_Care

Why Did a Singaporean Doctor with Stage 3 Stomach Cancer Choose South Korea?

Introduction

Dr. Tang Kok Foo shared his successful medical tourism experience in South Korea during an interview on the YouTube channel "After the Rain." This column is a reconstruction of Dr. Tang's story based on the video from "After the Rain."

Dr. Tang Kok Foo (second from the right), a Singaporean doctor who successfully underwent stomach cancer surgery in South Korea, and Professor Kim Hyungho(second from the left), who performed the surgery.ⓒaftertherainkr

South Korea boasts one of the highest 5-year relative survival rates* for stomach cancer in the world, at 72.1% (2017-2021, National Cancer Registration Statistics). Reflecting this reputation, the number of foreign patients coming to South Korea for stomach cancer surgery is increasing. In October 2023, Dr. Tang Kok Foo, a Singaporean neurologist diagnosed with stage 3 gastroesophageal junction cancer, came to South Korea. Dr. Tang Kok Foo regained his health after undergoing surgery performed by Professor Kim Hyungho, a renowned expert in stomach cancer treatment. Here is the story of Dr. Tang Kok Foo's successful surgery in South Korea.

* The percentage of people who are alive five years after they were diagnosed with cancer

Singaporean neurologist Dr. Tang Kok Fooⓒaftertherainkr

Q Could you briefly introduce yourself?

A I’m Dr. Tang Kok Foo. I’m a neurologist based in Singapore. I’ve been working for 20 years at Mount Elizabeth Hospital. I look after patients with neurological problems, such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, and neuropathy. I was diagnosed with stage 3 gastroesophageal junction cancer after experiencing symptoms like heartburn and acid reflux.

A type of cancer develops where your food pipe joins your stomach

Interview with Singaporean neurologist Dr. Tang Kok Fooⓒaftertherainkr

Q Why did you decide to have stomach cancer surgery in South Korea?

A Many doctors I consulted in Singapore recommended it. They said that South Korean surgeons were technically superior to those in Singapore. Due to the high number of esophageal and stomach cancer cases in Korea, there is extensive clinical experience and expertise, leading to much better outcomes here. That's why I came to Korea for treatment on the recommendation of my fellow doctors.

International Comparison of Five-Year Net Survival for Major Cancers (2010-2014)

Classification (%)	Stomach	Large intestine		Liver	Lung	Breast	Cervix
Classification (%)	Stomach	Colon	Rectum	Liver	Lung	Breast	Cervix
Korea	68.90%	71.80%	71.10%	27.20%	25.10%	86.60%	77.30%
United States	33.10%	64.90%	64.10%	17.40%	21.20%	90.20%	62.60%
United Kingdom	20.70%	60.00%	62.50%	13.00%	13.30%	85.60%	63.80%
Japan	60.30%	67.80%	64.80%	30.10%	32.90%	89.40%	71.40%

* The five-year net survival rate represents the probability that a cancer patient will survive for 5 years after diagnosis, assuming cancer is the only cause of death. The figures are age-standardized to account for differences in age distribution across regions and time periods and are used for comparing cancer survival rates internationally.

Source: Ministry of Health and Welfare, 2023.

Interview with Singaporean neurologist Dr. Tang Kok Fooⓒaftertherainkr

ghcauhs Panoramic viewⓒghcauhs

ghcauhs International Healthcare Centerⓒghcauhs

Q Could you share your impressions of receiving surgery and experiencing medical care in South Korea?

A The hospital is much more than I had expected. I was pleased with all aspects, from Professor Kim Hyungho's surgical skills to the hospital's modern facilities, patient-centered approach, and courteous staff. People are very concerned about infection control, and all the doctors seem to speak English very well.

Patient's condition at that time, according to Professor Kim Hyungho, a surgical specialist at Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital

Dr. Tang Kok Foo had gastroesophageal junction cancer, which develops in the area where the esophagus meets the stomach, and his cancer had progressed to stage 3 with metastasis to nearby lymph nodes. His had solid tumors that required surgery. In Singapore and Hong Kong, which are influenced by Europe, surgery tends to be performed after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. On the other hand, in Korea and Japan, which have more clinical experience, surgery is generally followed by chemotherapy. Although Dr. Tang Kok Foo had undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy in Singapore to slow down the progression of the disease, he needed surgery, and came to South Korea. Gastroesophageal junction cancer is quite different from typical stomach cancer. The mechanisms of cancer and the surgical techniques differ from those used for standard stomach cancer. The surgery is very complex because it involves not only the stomach and esophagus, but also the mediastinal lymph nodes around the esophagus. Despite the difficulties, Dr. Tang Kok Foo's surgery was successfully completed with the help of skilled medical professionals.