Gynecologic Cancer Center Faculty / Medical Staff >

The Gynecologic Cancer Center of Samsung Medical Center (SMC) provides swift and accurate diagnostic services and offers optimized treatments for patients with endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer and cervical cancer. With a reputation as a world leader in laparoscopic gynecologic surgeries, robotic surgery and extended radical curative surgery, the Gynecologic Cancer Center is a global hub for multinational clinical tests, which cover new treatment modalities in the battle against gynecologic cancer. Translational research related to the early diagnosis and personalized therapy of gynecologic cancer aims to find the new ways of cure for cancer.

Organization of Gynecologic Cancer Center

The Gynecologic Cancer Center is operated by a multidisciplinary team that offers optimized comprehensive diagnosis and treatment, involving the departments of Gynecology, Obstetrics, Surgery, Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, Radiology, Pathology, and Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.
The Gynecologic Cancer Center is composed of 6 major centers and clinics; the Minimal Invasive Surgery Center (MISC), the Gynecologic Cancer Clinical Trial Center (GCCTC), the Molecular Target Research Center (MTRC), the Radiation Biology Research Center (RBRC), Ovarian Cancer Early Diagnosis Clinic(OCEDC), and Clear Cell Ovarian Cancer Clinic(CCOCC). Each center and clinic is involved in cutting-edge research that enables the Gynecologic Cancer Center to provide personalized treatment. Our Gynecologic Cancer Center does best to meet the needs for each patient in cancer treatment.

Number of registered patients and treatment track record

Around 250 cervical cancer patients, 180 endometrial cancer patients, and 290 ovarian cancer patients are registered at the Gynecologic Cancer Center yearly.
The Gynecologic Cancer Center performs 183 surgeries for cervical cancer, 161 surgeries for endometrial cancer, and 276 surgeries for ovarian cancer in 2014. More than half of the surgeries for cervical cancer and endometrial cancer are performed using minimally invasive techniques using laparoscopic approach those are now moving to the robotic approach.
The Gynecologic Cancer Center of SMC has a world-class record of success with 5-year survival rates for cervical cancer patients: (1st stage: 89%, 2nd stage: 65%, 3rd stage: 42%, 4th stage:18%); endometrial cancer patients: (1st stage: 87%, 2nd stage: 76%, 3rd stage: 59%, 4th stage: 18%); and ovarian cancer patients: (1st stage: 78%, 2nd stage: 60%, 3rd stage: 30%, 4th stage: 13%)

Treatment System

The Gynecologic Cancer Center offers one-day outpatient services for cancer patients to reduce time from diagnosis to treatment.
It includes radiological and endoscopic diagnostic procedures, and the operation schedule can be made on the day of visit when the treatment procedure has been determined during the first medical examination.

A multidisciplinary team involving Obstetrician/Gynecology, Radiation Oncology, Hematology Oncology, and Pathology, Radiology makes decision in the face-to-face multidisciplinary team meeting for each patient to provide optimized method for diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, the Gynecologic Cancer Center holds weekly conferences on selecting the treatment plans for gynecologic cancer patients and tumor board meetings to promote interdepartmental sharing of information on the treatment procedures and map treatment plans out for specific needs of patients. The Gynecologic Cancer Center has developed the guidelines on standard treatments through interdepartmental discussion. This system ensures safe, optimized, and comprehensive cancer treatment.

For young cancer patients, we provide fertility sparing treatment option and consultation to infertility clinic. We have outstanding Obstetrician, gynecologic endocrinologist, and infertility professionals within Samsung Gynecologic Cancer Center, so we provide integral medical services through whole women’s life not only for cancer patients but also for cancer survivors.

The Gynecologic Cancer Center actively exchanges information, opinions about treatment modalities and clinical research results with domestic and international cancer centers in the field of gynecologic cancer to provide patients with the newest, most effective therapies. We are providing opportunities for gynecologic cancer patients to participate multicenter, international clinical trial. The Gynecologic Cancer Center has enrolled patients to more than 20 clinical trials and currently we are participating 17 clinical trials.

Gynecologic Cancer Patients’Day

Gynecologic Cancer Center participates in the annual “Gynecologic Cancer Patients’ Day” to provide up-to-date information and education to patients being treated in SMC and their guardians and to motivate them to fight back against disease. Gynecologic Cancer Center has attracted favorable reactions from both patients and their guardians for this most worthwhile program.

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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.