Breast Cancer Center Faculty / Medical Staff >

At the Breast Cancer Center, we strive to increase survival rates through early diagnosis and effective treatment of breast cancer. To do this, we have established strong cooperation between the departments of breast surgery, hematology and oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, pathology, laboratory medicine, plastic surgery, rehabilitation medicine, and nutrition. To improve patients’ quality of life and facilitate a smooth return to normal social life, we offer support services through the department of psychology, the cancer education center, the social work office, and a range of regional hospitals.

Major areas of treatment

Specialties: Recurrent/metastatic/intractable breast cancer, hereditary breast cancer, breast cancer in young women, breast cancer in pregnancy, male breast cancer, and benign breast disorders
Target: Patients under 40 years of age with breast cancer / Pregnant women with breast cancer (includes patients within 1 year of birth regardless of age)

Strengths

At Samsung’s Breast Cancer Center we treat around 2,000 patients annually, treating more than 15,000 patients to date. All treatments are patient-centric and rely on strong interdepartmental (multidisciplinary) cooperation to achieve the best results. To optimize patient prognosis and recovery, we provide not only international sanctioned treatments that meet or exceed global health standards, but we also participate in various multinational clinical studies. Respecting the special significance the breast has for many women, we also do everything within our ability to preserve or reconstruct the aesthetic appearance of the breast after treatment in order to make the patient’s social and psychological recovery from surgery as seamless as possible.

Diagnostic methods

Breast cancer is usually diagnosed by performing through a biopsy—either by needle aspiration, core biopsy, or mammotome—of suspicious lesions found during a mammogram or ultrasound. After diagnosis, our doctors perform a breast MRI to check for additional lesions. Whole body tests are then done to check for metastases in other organs. Depending on the results, the doctors and patient come to a decision regarding surgical methods and whether to perform preoperative chemotherapy.

Latest treatment methods

  • Oncoplastic breast surgery
  • Personalized treatment (cancer scan, AVATAR mouse)
  • Sentinel lymph node biopsy (radioisostope, biopigment, fluorescent dye)
  • Application of state-of-the-art chemotherapy and other anti-cancer therapies (targeted therapy Herceptin)
  • Multinational clinical trials

Recent trends in clinical research

The Breast Cancer Center is playing a leading role in multi-institutional domestic and international clinical studies in all fields of treatment for breast cancer. The following is a list of recent studies conducted by our staff and faculty:

  • A study on personalized treatment using genome analysis.
  • A study on breast cancer genes (BRCA 1, BRCA2) in young breast cancer patients
  • A genetic study on triple-negative breast cancer patients
  • A treatment study on HER2-positive breast cancer patients
  • A treatment study on hormone receptors
  • A study on anti-hormonal therapy before and after menopause
  • A study on anti-hormonal agents, up-to-date chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiotherapy
  • A study on the treatment of early and advanced breast cancer

Other resources

We regularly host a general meeting through our online community in order to answer questions related to our patients’ adjustment after surgery and return to normal life. We are also trying to relieve our patients' concerns in order to create an ideal environment for treatment and care.

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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.