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위암 · Gastric cancer · ICD-10 C16

Stomach cancer: treatment options in Korea

Why consider Korea

• 5-year relative survival 78.6% (diagnosed 2019–2023)[1]
• 5-year relative survival of stomach cancer found at a localized stage (not yet spread beyond the stomach) is 97.6%[3]
• National cancer screening: gastroscopy every two years from age 40[4]
• Stomach cancer screening participation in 2024 was 77.4%, the highest among cancers for which participation is counted (liver and lung cancer are only screened in high-risk groups and not counted separately)[5]
• KLASS-01 trial: 5-year cancer-specific survival after laparoscopic surgery for stage I stomach cancer was 97.1%, comparable to open surgery (97.2%)[6]
• KLASS-02 trial: for locally advanced stomach cancer, 3-year relapse-free survival after laparoscopic surgery was 80.3%, comparable to open surgery (81.3%), with fewer early complications; 5-year overall survival 88.9% vs 88.7%, still no difference[7][8]
• Professor Woo Jin Hyung of Severance Hospital is reported by Korean media to have done the most robotic stomach cancer operations in the worldhospital or media claim[9]

Korea vs. China

Korean figures are for patients diagnosed in 2019–2023 and Chinese figures for patients diagnosed in 2019–2021. Both are 5-year relative survival rates published by each country's national cancer center. The years and methods are not identical, so only the rough gap is meaningful. Relative survival is compared with the general population of the same age, so values above 100% can occur. Korea's high survival for stomach and colorectal cancer is closely linked to national cancer screening, which finds more cancers early.

Treatments

Hospitals

Doctors

Coming to Korea for treatment

Documents to prepare: Gastroscopy report and biopsy pathology results, Contrast-enhanced abdominal CT, Blood tests such as blood count and liver and kidney function (if available), Previous treatment records (such as surgery or chemotherapy)

Time in Korea: about 7~14 daysestimate, of which in hospital about 3~10 days

After returning home: After endoscopic removal of early stomach cancer, regular follow-up gastroscopy is needed; after stomach surgery, eat small, frequent meals and attend regular checkups. Follow-up can be done at a hospital in your home country.

FAQ

Why is stomach cancer survival so much higher in Korea than in China?

The main reason is early detection. Korea runs a national gastroscopy screening every two years from age 40, with 77.4% participation, and the 5-year survival of stomach cancer found at a localized stage is 97.6%. In China, about half or more of stomach cancers are already stage III–IV at diagnosis. The years and methods of the two countries' statistics are not identical, but the direction of the gap is clear.[4][5][3][10]

Must early stomach cancer be treated by removing the stomach?

Not necessarily. Early stomach cancer that meets the criteria for extent, depth and pathology type can be removed from the inside with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), keeping the whole stomach. Whether it can be done depends on the gastroscopy, pathology and CT results and is decided by the doctor.

Is laparoscopic surgery as effective as open surgery?

Two large Korean randomized controlled trials found: in stage I stomach cancer, 5-year cancer-specific survival was 97.1% vs 97.2%; in locally advanced stomach cancer, 3-year relapse-free survival was 80.3% vs 81.3%, with fewer complications in the laparoscopic group. Which to choose depends on the tumor and the doctor's judgment.[6][7]