When contacting hospitals in Korea for any disease (oncology and chronic diseases) first of all, the patient goes to consult with the doctor (through Medical Avenue’s services), who prescribes detailed examinations. In oncology, it is necessary to undergo mandatory laboratory and instrumental tests to determine a suitable treatment plan for the patient.
How are the medical tests conducted in South Korea?
- Consultation on the day of arrival or next day.
At the consultation, the professor gives you the appointments for examinations. - Booking all the medical tests appointed by the professor as soon as possible.
- It can take from 1 to 7 days, depending on the appointed tests and the availability of the department.
- Consultation on the results of medical tests. On which the professor can prescribe treatment and/or additional examinations.
Below are the most common tests in Korea: The professor prescribes examinations based on the patient’s condition and the characteristics of the disease.
Instrumental medical examinations
Ultrasound
| Features | Note |
| – Puncture and biopsy is often performed with ultrasound – Does not carry any radiation load Effective in the study of breasts, pelvic organs, abdominal cavity, heart, blood vessels, lymph nodes. | Sometimes you need to fast before the examination. The coordinator will inform in advance. |
X-ray
| Features | Note |
| “Contrast” can be used to check digestive organs. – enters preoperative examinations along with blood, urine, ECG – the image is flat Minimum radiation load Effective for patients with lung, breast, spinal, bone, gastrointestinal problems. | Be aware of any metal objects before the examination |
CT / computed tomography
| Features | Note |
| – examination 5-10 minutes Minimum radiation load. A three-dimensional layer image allows for a better visualization of organs or tumors; more accurate information than X-rays or ultrasound. – Also used during the planning for radiation therapy Effective in the study of bones, chest organs, abdominal cavity, pelvic floor. | Sometimes you need to fast before the examination. The coordinator will inform in advance. A contrast substance is used. If there are any known allergic reactions to contrast, it is necessary to inform it in advance. After the examination it is recommended to drink 1-2 liters of water, as the contrast is excreted from the body through urine. |
MRI / magnetic resonance imaging
| Features | Note |
| – Examination: 30-40 minutes – Does not carry any radiation load – 3D image of organs or tumors Effective in the study of soft tissues, blood vessels, kidneys, liver, pelvic organs, brain and spinal cord. | Sometimes you’ll need to fast before the examination, the coordinator will inform in advance. Not suitable for patients with a pacemaker or other metal elements in the body (exception: titanium prostheses, dental implants, tantalum paperclips). Sometimes a contrast substance is necessary. If you had allergic reactions to contrast, it is necessary to inform it in advance. After the examination, it is recommended to drink 1-2 liters of water, as the contrast is excreted from the body through urine. |
PET-CT / Positron Emission Tomography
| Features | Note |
| – Radioactive glucose can detect the presence of tumors and distant metastasis by “lighting” them. – After the introduction of contrast, the patient lies in bed for 1 hour to evenly distribute the contrast around the body; scan lasts 20 minutes. Minimum radiation load. Effectively for the progressive stage of oncology to identify distant metastasis. | 8 hours fast mandatory. 1-2 days before the examination should stop drugs for diabetes, the coordinator will inform in advance. The equipment lounge is very cold, we recommend bringing warm clothes. After the examination it is recommended to drink 1-2 liters of water, as the contrast is excreted from the body through urine. |
Osteo Scintigraphy / Bone scan
| Features | Note |
| – Scans are carried out 3 to 6 hours after the application of radiopharmaceutical; the scan itself lasts 20-30 minutes. – There is a low dose of radiation, but it is recommended to avoid contact with young children or pregnant women for 1-2 days after the drug injection. Effective in the study of skeletal bones for tumors and metastasis. Often prescribed for breast, prostate, etc. oncology. diseases with bone damage. | It is recommended to go to the toilet and empty yourself. Fasting is not required unless other medical tests are scheduled that day. After the examination it is recommended to drink 1-2 liters of water, as the contrast is excreted from the body through urine. |
Endoscopic examinations
| Features | Note |
| – Examination of body cavities with an endoscope. – Biopsy or surgery is possible with the help of an endoscope. Effective in examination of the stomach, large intestine, bladder, etc. | Often performed under sedation (medical sleep). If you are allergic to peanuts or eggs, you should report it in advance. |
Laboratory screening methods
Cytology
| Features | Note |
| – Helps research cell structure, cell composition. – For the study doctors use saliva, sputum, fluid from the abdominal or pleural cavity, smears and flushes from the genitals, respiratory tracts, etc. | The material is collected by puncture, smears or endoscopic procedures. |
Histology
| Features | Note |
| – Study of the structure of tumor tissues in a cut. – This examination is more accurate and informative for diagnosis than cytology – With the help of this tests it is possible to determine the degree of spread, the stage of the disease, the involvement of the nearest lymph nodes, details. | The material is collected during surgery or biopsy. The biopsy is performed with a hollow tube, forceps or other instruments. During the operation, an express biopsy is often performed to determine the presence of tumor cells on the edge of the severed tumor; if there are malignant cells, the surgeon removes more adjacent tissues. This allows to remove the entire contaminated area. |
IHC / immunohistochemical study
| Features | Note |
| – The next stage after histology is to determine the subspecies of the tumor. – It is necessary to determine the correct chemotherapy treatment, the need to involve targeted therapy or immunotherapy. | This examination is not carried out for all diagnoses. It is especially important in breast cancer. For the study, you need to bring histological glass and blocks. |
Fluorescence in situ hybridization protocol (FISH)
| Features | Note |
| – One of the newest medical tests. It points to the research of chromosome anomalies. – Is often used for differential diagnosis of malignant blood diseases. | For this study, you need to bring histological glass and blocks. |
Oncotype DX
| Features | Note |
| – Tumor profiling test. It measures a group of 21 genes. – It allows to determine the probability of recurrence of breast cancer, the need for chemotherapy treatment in the 1st and 2nd stages of oncology. – Results take about 2 weeks | This examination is carried out in the early stages of breast cancer by the decision of the professor. For this study, you need to bring histological glass and blocks. |
NGS
| Features | Note |
| The latest method of detailed gene mutation research; dozens and hundreds of genes are tested for mutations that can cause oncology or others diseases. – This medical test is used to prescribe personalized treatment plans for the mutations found, predict developments, improve the effectiveness of treatment. | The results take about 1 to 2 months. For this study, you need to bring histological glass and blocks. |
Frequently asked questions about medical examinations in South Korea
The level of radiation received during X-ray, CT, PET-Ct is minimal, from 0.2 to 30 mSv (millisievert), depending on the examination. According to the International Commission on Radiological Protection, the risk of oncology throughout life increases by 5% with the exposure of 1,000 mSv at a time.
A general blood test and some biochemistry parameters are usually ready 2 hours after delivery. Therefore, before going to your appointment, it is necessary to take a blood test 2 hours in advance (for example: in between chemotherapy sessions). More complex lab tests can take from several days to months (for example: MAST allergy test takes about 2 to 3 weeks).
Cytology and histology take about 5 to 7 days. IHC may take a little more than that. Genetic tests take from 1 to 2 months, depending on the type and method of research. Usually, the appointment goes in parallel with the treatment, the result of genetics help the professor in choosing further course of treatment.
Medical images take up to 7 days. But given the position of foreign patients, many hospitals speed up the process of interpreting images up to 3 to 5 days, depending on the examination.
Yes, preventive medicine is well developed in Korea. Koreans themselves undergo diagnostic examinations every year. Each of the big hospitals has separate diagnostic centers where you can take complex examinations in one day (one-stop).
Allergy to contrast in the form of itching, rash, nasal congestion occurs in rare cases. After the examination, the nurse checks for symptoms, if there are symptoms, then doctors will administer antihistamines and you’ll go into observation. After the symptoms subside, you’ll be allowed to go home. Patients with kidney and liver problems should take a saline preparation before examinations. Plus doctors will assess their condition in advance.
Lab tests must take place in Korea before medical treatment. Korean doctors accept instrumental analyzes like CT, MRI, if they consider the images’ quality is good and if the images were taking within 6 months. PET-CT, bone scan are better to have them in Korea. Most of the times hospitals ask to meet their own quality requirements. Patient dealing with oncology must bring with them histological slides (1 stained and 10 unstained) or paraffin blocks and the results of histology, IHC, etc. Please note that the number of the slides/blocks must match the numbers in the conclusion.