Samsung Medical Center in Seoul ranked third globally in the cancer category of Newsweek's 'World's Best Specialized Hospitals 2026'.

In the rankings released by Newsweek on the 10th (local time), Samsung Medical Center followed Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center in the United States, achieving the highest rank among Asian hospitals.

First Visit Guidance Center Eases Patient Anxiety

The five-year survival rate for all cancer patients at Samsung Medical Center is 75%, a high level globally. The five-year relative survival rate for lung cancer is 63.6%, significantly exceeding the U.S. average (28.1%) and the domestic average (40.6%).

The hospital publishes an 'Outcome Book' annually, disclosing cancer treatment results and medical quality indicators. The fifth edition of the Outcome Book this year includes clinical indicators such as diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment management.

Samsung Medical Center operates a 'First Visit Guidance Center' for patients visiting the hospital for the first time after a cancer diagnosis. Nurses with over 30 years of experience are stationed here to welcome patients and their guardians.

Nurse Lee Gil-ho stated, “A woman in her mid-30s, who was raising two young children alone after losing her husband, came to the hospital alone after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She cried for a long time out of fear, and we arranged for tailored counseling by informing the professor of her situation.” The guidance center listens to patients' stories and provides customized counseling based on a questionnaire to reduce the burden of the first consultation.

Cancer Education Center Supports Beyond Treatment to Social Reintegration

The Cancer Hospital established a 'Cancer Education Center' in 2008 to support the recovery of patients' lives post-treatment. This was a new attempt at the time, focusing on the psychological and social recovery of patients, contrary to the then-prevailing medical focus on cancer removal.

The Cancer Education Center helped restore patients' self-esteem by offering education to reduce fear and stigma of cancer, as well as appearance management programs. Jo Joo-hee, head of the Cancer Education Center, said, “I wanted to create a space where patients can talk about their illness confidently without hiding it.” A breast cancer survivor stated, “I was afraid to meet people due to changes in my appearance, but I regained courage through the center's education.”

The center was the first in the country to introduce a workplace reintegration support program, aiding patients in returning to society. It has since evolved into a cancer healing center encompassing pain, nutrition, mental health, and family care, and in 2024, it plans to establish a Quality of Life Research Institute for Cancer Patients to develop support models based on patient-reported outcomes. Recently, it has expanded its activities through digital counseling chatbots and collaboration with Germany's Charité.


Strengthening Both Treatment Results and Quality of Life

Lee Woo-yong, Director of the Cancer Hospital at Samsung Medical Center, remarked, “Achieving third place globally while competing with leading U.S. cancer hospitals is a significant accomplishment,” adding, “The medical staff feels proud of achieving global treatment efficacy despite low medical costs.”

Samsung Medical Center is proactively responding to changes through multidisciplinary care, fast-track decision-making, and treatment of elderly cancer patients with cardiovascular diseases. It has also improved outcomes by introducing advanced treatments such as CAR-T cell therapy, precision medicine, and proton therapy.

The hospital maintains its status as the leading institution for domestic cancer clinical trials and a globally certified clinical trial institution, enhancing treatment outcomes through collaboration with major hospitals worldwide. The hospital plans to expand its network with international academia and medical institutions to advance as a global cancer center.

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