Head and Neck Cancer Center Faculty / Medical Staff >

Samsung’s Head and Neck Cancer Center works in conjunction with the departments of Head and Neck-Thyroid Surgery, Hemato-Oncology and Radiation Oncology. Depending on the location and scope of surgery, faculty members from the departments of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Thoracic Surgery, Surgery and Ophthalmology may also participate in the treatment of patients suffering from head and neck cancer. In addition, the Radiology, Pathology and Nuclear Medicine Departments assist with diagnosis evaluation and prosthetic dentistry, deglutition and speech therapy, anesthesia and pain medicine, rehabilitation medicine, and nutrition. In addition, nurses specialized in head and neck cooperate closely with or center to enhance patients’ quality of life.

Major areas of treatment

Specialties: intraoral cancer, salivary gland cancer, pharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer, thyroid cancer, nasal cavity cancer, paranasal sinus cancer, neck cancer, brain base cancer, sarcomas, melanomas, and skin cancer.

Strengths

As a world-class hospital for the surgical treatment of head and neck cancer, we have a track record of exceptional healthcare outcomes:

Face-to-face multidisciplinary treatment: Head and neck cancer patients with difficulties in therapeutic decision making
Molecular targeted therapy, gamma knife, proton therapy
We perform minimally invasive surgeries such as robot surgery, endoscopy, and laser surgery.
Advanced and internationalized global standard clinical trial system

Diagnostic methods

As a world-class hospital for the surgical treatment of head and neck cancer, we have a track record of exceptional healthcare outcomes:

Physical exmination and history taking
Biopsy
Ultrasonography
Computed tomography (CT)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Positron emission tomography-CT (PET-CT)
Bone scan
Molecular analysis
Genes and tumor markers

Latest treatment methods

Diagnostic methods
Surgery	Minimally invasive surgery using laser, endoscopy, and robotic equipment Partial excision to optimize preservation of function and quality of life Concomitant reconstructive plastic surgery using free flaps Precise excision and reconstruction using 3D printing technology Treatment of lymphatic metastases through sentinel lymph node biopsy and excision
Radiotherapy	3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT, tomotherapy) Brachytherapy, total body irradiation Proton therapy
Chemotherapy and targeted therapy	Up-to-date chemotherapy Up-to-date targeted therapy Multinational clinical trial therapy using various drugs

Recent trends in clinical research

The Head and Neck Cancer Center is playing a leading role in multi-institutional domestic and international clinical studies. The following is a list of recent studies conducted by our staff and faculty:

The following is a list of recent studies conducted by our staff and faculty:

Research on the mechanisms of lymphatic metastases in intraoral cancer and its treatment methods
Molecular genetic studies on salivary cancers
Research on dendritic cell and NK cell immunotherapy for early metastatic cancer
Molecular genetic research on lymphatic and whole body metastases of thyroid cancer

Departments List

Patients' Rights and Responsibilities

Patients' Rights

1. Right to receive medical care

Patients have the right to receive proper care in a safe setting without discrimination nor should their right to care be violated regardless of their gender, age, religion, social status, nationality, language, race, or physical/mental/financial status. Medical teams shall not refuse to provide care without justifiable reason.

2. Right to be informed and to make an autonomous decision

Patients have the right to obtain full and complete information from their medical team, to ask questions, and to determine their agreement or refusal concerning: diagnosis, treatment (purpose, plans and methods), outcomes of care (including unanticipated outcomes), discharge plan, participation in medical research studies, organ transplantation/donation, etc. Within ethical boundaries, patients may discontinue or refuse treatment, request that the medical team explain and suggest alternative treatments, and reserve the right to make their own decisions.

3. Right to confidentiality

Patients' rights to confidentiality regarding their physical/health status and privacy will not be violated. Patients can expect that all medical records/reports and their personal privacy will be kept confidential unless the patient has given consent or disclosure is permitted by law. To ensure their privacy, patients may be informed that Individuals not directly involved in their care may not be present and that the number of guardians accompanying patients to consultation rooms may be limited.

4. Right to request consultation and mediation

In the event of a medical dispute, patients may request consultation and mediation from an internal or external agency (Korea Consumer Agency, Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency).

5. Right to have values and beliefs respected

Patients will not be discriminated against because of their culture, religious values, or beliefs, and their rights will not be violated.

6. Right to receive care in a safe setting

Patients have the right to receive hospital-provided care where the patient’s medical information is protected and patient safety can be assured. In addition, patients have the right to be protected from possible dangers that can occur in a hospital and to have stability of mind and body.

Patients' Responsibilities

1. Responsibility to trust and respect the medical team

Patients must accurately inform the medical team of their health condition and must trust and respect the medical team's treatment plan. Patients may be responsible for consequences that result from not following instructions.

2. Responsibility to not use dishonest methods for medical treatment

Patients must reveal their identity before receiving any medical care and must not use false or dishonest methods, such as seeking medical care under disguised ownership.

3. Responsibility to abide by all hospital regulations

Patients are expected to treat all hospital staff and other patients with courtesy and respect; to abide by all hospital rules; and to earnestly fulfill their financial obligation to the hospital. Also, patients and their family members are expected to participate in all safety regulations.