Asan Medical Center Seoul - Departments

The Department of Neurosurgery offers the full range of diagnosis and surgery of the brain and spinal cord diseases. The department specializes in treatment of all kinds of tumors that develop within the brain tissue or other soft tissue inside the cranium as well brain metastases of other tumors. The department also offers diagnosis and treatment of patients with pituitary disorders and cooperates with the Scoliosis Center.

The Department of Nuclear Medicine stands for the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of anatomical and physiological conditions of the human body using radiation from a radioactive isotope. The main areas of the department include in-vivo diagnostic imaging, in-vitro tests with radioactive isotopes as well as radioactive isotope therapy of oncological diseases such as thyroid cancer or bone metastatic cancer.

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology offers diagnosis and treatment of benign and malign tumors in the uterus or uterine appendages, reproduction-related disorders and pregnancy complications as well as all other gynecological diseases. The goal of the department is to ensure optimal treatment and care for women of all age groups.

The Department of Oncology offers diagnosis and treatment of a broad range of oncological diseases. These include stomach cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, malignant lymphoma, multiple myeloma, pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, head and neck cancer, urologic cancer, sarcoma, liver cancer, etc. Various cancer types are treated within specialized centers, which apply the latest medical advancements.

The Department of Ophthalmology deals with the diagnosis, analysis and treatment of all sorts of eye diseases. These include cataract, glaucoma, retina diseases, optic nerve diseases, amblyopia, congenital and genetic disorders, etc. In addition, the department also specializes in the ophthalmic plastic reconstruction. The most advanced treatment methods are applied including various laser therapy methods.

The Department of Orthopedic Surgery offers drug, operative and physiotherapy treatments of all diseases of the musculoskeletal system (limbs, spine and joints). The department specializes in hip and knee replacements, treatment of herniated intervertebral discs, other diseases of cervical and lumbar spine, shoulders, elbows and hand diseases as well as bone cancers. In addition, the department also collaborates with the Scoliosis Center.

The Department of Otorhinolaryngology offers both conservative and surgical treatment of all diseases of ear, nose, sinus, throat, mouth, neck, thyroid, salivary gland, trachea and esophagus. The department specializes in treatment of head and neck tumors, cochlear implantations, such procedures as adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy, surgeries for chronic rhinosinusitis and chronic otitis media, etc.

The Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery performs surgical treatment of benign and malignant tumors of liver, biliary tract, bladder, pancreas and transplantations. The department also specializes in pancreatoduodenectomy, treatment of hilar choangiocellular carcinoma, laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The specialists of the department have unrivaled medical skills and experience in pancreas transplantation as well as in transplantation of pancreatic islet cells.

The Department of Plastic surgery offers the latest treatment methods of the structural deformities, congenital anomalies and functional deficits. The primary goal of the department is surgical reconstruction of various congenital and acquired deformities of all anatomical areas of the human body. The department also has a unique expertise in aesthetic surgery and reconstructive surgery, e.g., after treatment of breast, head and neck, brain and skin cancers.

The Department of Infectious Diseases involves the treatment of diseases resulting from microbial infections. The department deals with fever of unknown origin, septicemia, disease with palpable lymph nodes, diseases accompanied by diarrhea, digestive infections such as gastritis, cardiovascular infections, urogenital infections, skin and soft tissue infections, respiratory infections, etc.

The Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine provides treatment of all diseases of lungs and airways. The department specializes in care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary vascular disease, pulmonary infection, tuberculosis, lung cancer and also offers specialized treatment for respiratory organs such as endoscopic bronchial intervention.

The Department of Nephrology is the leader in the field of nephrology in Korea. The department has at its disposal all modern treatment methods of renal failure – from dialysis (the largest dialysis room in Korea) to kidney transplantation. The team of the department performed the largest number of kidney transplantations in Korea and is proud for almost a 100% success rate.

The Department of Radiation Oncology applies ionizing radiation to treat diseases, especially cancers. For instance, radiotherapy is used in treatment of the cancers of lung, stomach, esophagus, liver, breast, various urologic and gynecologic cancers, etc. Radiation therapy may be used alone or in combination with surgery, chemotherapy and/or biologic therapy to cure or alleviate cancer.

The Department of Neurology provides diagnosis and medical treatment of disorders that occur in the brain and spinal cord, nerve branches (peripheral nerves), and muscles. It also serves patients who suffer dementia and strokes as well as Parkinson’s disease, headaches and vertigo, intractable epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, sleep disorder, etc. 

The Department of Radiology uses all established imaging techniques such as X-ray radiography, ultrasound, CT, etc. to diagnose and/or treat diseases. The department brings together imaging specialists in seven divisions, with access to the latest equipment including ten CT, eight magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and four positron emission tomography (PET) scanners. Angiography is used for the diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases and liver cancer, and ultrasound for imaging the liver, gastrointestinal organs, thyroid, and breast.

The Department of Rehabilitation Medicine offers customized rehabilitation programs for patients suffering from physical, neurological and other diseases that hinder them from being able to perform daily activities. The rehabilitation programs consist of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, etc. Advanced tests are utilized, such as motion analysis, electromyography, videofluoroscopic swallowing study, dynamic posturography, computerized neuropsychological testing, etc.

The Department of Rheumatology is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of all rheumatic diseases. The department specializes in autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis as well as gout, systemic erythematosus lupus, rheumatoid spondylitis, Behcet’s disease, myositis in which inflammation invades the muscles, other diverse kinds of vasculitis and rare autoimmune disorders.

The Department of Stomach Surgery provides gastrointestinal surgery for patients with the stomach cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, peptic ulcer diseases, esophageal reflux as well as conducts metabolic and bariatric surgeries and herniotomy. Each patient is provided with a customized treatment plan. Depending on the exact conditions of a patient, either conventional open surgery, laparoscopic surgery or a robotic surgery is selected. 

The Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery encompasses surgical treatment of various diseases of the thoracic organs encompassing the lungs, esophagus, chest wall and mediastinum as well as surgeries of the heart and great vessels. The department uses minimally invasive surgical techniques, which significantly reduce postoperative pain and surgical risks compared to conventional open chest surgeries. As a result, patients benefit by experiencing faster recovery, shortened length of hospitalization and a reduction in costs.

The Department of Urology provides diagnosis and treatment of urinary system organs such as the kidney, ureter, bladder and urethra as well as male reproductive system-related organs such as the penis, testicles, seminal duct and prostate. The department specializes in treatment of oncological diseases including cancers of kidney, bladder, testicles and prostate, etc. The department has an excellent expertise in surgical treatment of urologic diseases.

The Department of Vascular Surgery is responsible for surgical and non-surgical treatment for various diseases affecting the arteries and veins. The department specializes in treatment of aortic diseases, cerebrovascular diseases (carotid artery, vertebral artery), obstructed arteries, etc. and is the leader in this field, proactively adopting new minimally-invasive or percutaneous techniques including stenting and angioplasty.

The Department of Allergy treats the whole range of allergic diseases. It provides a comprehensive treatment system that allows clinical specialists to perform a variety of tests so as to identify accurately causes of allergic disorders. An experienced staff of the department including skilled physicians, nurses and medical laboratory technologists specialized in allergy tests closely cooperate to offer the best medical care and services.

The Department of Mammology offers modern diagnostics and treatment of all breast diseases, especially breast cancer. The specialists of the department have an advanced experience in the surgical treatment of breast cancer. Whenever possible, breast-conserving surgeries are performed. In order to achieve the best cosmetic result, patients are offered the full range of reconstructive surgery.

The Department of Cardiology is now a world leader in heart disease treatment and research. It is part of the Heart Institute and offers comprehensive, structured care from diagnosis and treatment through prevention and rehabilitation. The department specializes in the latest technology and techniques including minimally invasive robotically assisted da Vinci surgery, hybrid operations, and stent-graft applications.

The Department of Colorectal Surgery at the Asan Medical Center is responsible for surgical treatments for the colon, rectum, and anal region, with a particular focus on research into the treatment of colon cancer. The department provides systematic, comprehensive patient care from diagnosis through surgery and outpatient follow-up visits to rehabilitation and education. The goal is to provide patients with a complete package of treatment. The department is the leader in this field. 

The Department of Dermatology offers diagnosis and treatment of all dermatological diseases. The department is equipped with the latest technologies including dye laser and carbon dioxide laser systems, copper vapor laser, Alexandrite Laser, QSNd-YAG, V-Beam, etc. The particular attention is given to treatment of skin cancer.

The Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism specializes in treating disorders related to endocrine organs such as pituitary glands, thyroid glands, pancreas, and adrenal glands as well as functional disturbances of endocrine glands. Special attention is given to treatment of thyroid cancer, prevention of thyroid cancer recurrence and treatment of metastatic cancer forms.

The Department of Gastroenterology treats all diseases of liver, pancreas and gastrointestinal tract. Patients are referred to specialized centers (e.g., Liver Center), in which they are provided with customized comprehensive treatment programs. Specialists of all related departments are involved in treatment planning and decision making including gastroenterology, surgery, radiology, oncology, radiation oncology, pathology and other.

The Department of Hematology aims at offering optimized treatment to patients suffering from a variety of hematologic diseases. We computerized treatment protocols of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as well as leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, myelodyplastic syndrome, and aplastic anemia to allow each patient to receive optimal treatment, and introduced the latest therapies including haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to deliver super-specialized medical services.