Departments

Pediatric Hematology and Oncology

Innovation and Commitment to Cure: Defining New Standards in Pediatric Cancer Care

The Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Center at Samsung Medical Center provides comprehensive care for all types of childhood cancers. Pediatric cancers, defined as those occurring in patients up to 18 years of age, differ fundamentally from adult cancers in pathogenesis, cancer types, and treatment approaches. In pediatric oncology, the goal is not merely life extension, but complete cure.

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

For patients with high-risk malignancies-such as certain types of acute leukemia, high-risk neuroblastoma, high-risk brain tumors, and relapsed or refractory solid tumors-conventional chemotherapy alone often results in poor outcomes. To improve cure rates, we actively perform hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

In June 2011, we became the first center in South Korea to perform over 1,000 pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantations. Leveraging our extensive experience, we deliver outcomes comparable to or better than those reported by top international centers. We also perform haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with successful outcome.

Specialized Expertise

Targeted Therapy Based on Genomic Profiling

Based on comprehensive genetic studies, we provide targeted therapy for relapsed, refractory cancer patients, expanding the treatment scope of pediatric cancer patients.

Advanced Radiation Therapy: Proton Therapy

The proton beam transfers maximum energy to the cancer tissue while minimizing radiation exposure to the normal tissues. This process called "Bragg peak" achieves effective treatment results, particularly in pediatric brain tumor.

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

We are the center most actively performing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in South Korea. Based on accumulated experiences, we are producing best treatment results comparable to advanced countries.

Basic and Translational Research

The Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Center of SMC works on basic and translational research for continuously improving treatment results of patients as well as providing patients with the best care.

To develop the new treatment method of graft-versus-host disease which is the biggest obstacle to successful allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, we are doing research on mesenchymal stem cells. In collaboration with the Samsung Genome Institute, we conduct in-depth genomic analysis of cancer cells in refractory cancers.

We are doing genomic research on discovering mutant gene on cancers, and conducting clinical trials according to the genomic test result. Based on the clinical and basic research, we are publishing research papers with lead authors in international SCI academic journals, with the highest number in this academic field in South Korea.