Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology
Since its establishment in 1978, the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) has served as a central institution setting the standard for cancer care and research in Korea for more than four decades.
Beyond treating cancer and hematologic diseases, the department has been at the forefront of developing new therapies and establishing global standard treatment guidelines—making SNUH a place where patients can experience world-class treatments ahead of others.
Patients receive both cutting-edge medicine and compassionate care of the highest quality.
Vision of the Department
The department comprises two major divisions: ‘Hematology’ and ‘Medical Oncology’. Each field advances excellence in patient care, research, and education under a shared mission— to be “a place that not only treats disease but also designs the future of medicine.”
Hematology – Leading the History of Stem Cell Transplantation in Korea
The Hematology Division specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hematologic malignancies such as leukemia and multiple myeloma, as well as anemia, platelet disorders, and coagulation abnormalities.
SNUH performed Korea’s first hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in 1985 and has since accumulated the nation’s most extensive experience in advanced procedures, including matched sibling and unrelated donor transplants, autologous transplants, haploidentical transplants, cord blood transplants, and second transplants. Through this pioneering work, SNUH has played a leading role in advancing hematopoietic transplantation in Korea.
Close multidisciplinary collaboration with the Departments of Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Medicine, and others ensures treatment safety and allows the delivery of personalized, precision-based care for every patient.
SNUH is not a hospital that merely follows treatment standards—it is a hospital that defines them.
Medical Oncology – Beyond Standards, Shaping the Future of Cancer Treatment
The Medical Oncology Division provides care for a wide range of solid tumors, including lung, gastric, colorectal, and breast cancers.
More than a treatment center, SNUH is a research-driven institution leading new therapeutic paradigms in oncology.
Our department:
• Has led numerous first-in-human and global early-phase clinical trials for targeted and immune-based therapies
• Pioneers the clinical development of antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) and bispecific antibodies;
• Advances precision medicine research to establish new, evidence-based “Korean Standard Treatments.
Research outcomes generated at SNUH have been reflected in both national and international oncology guidelines, creating a reality where “what is practiced at SNUH becomes the national standard.” This leadership is our greatest source of pride.
Research and Clinical Trials – Realizing the Future of Medicine as of Today
The Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology is more than a clinical department—it is a center of innovation, dedicated to designing and validating the medicine of tomorrow.
In partnership with world-leading academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies, SNUH serves as a global hub for international clinical trials
• Hematology research focuses on genomic analysis of hematologic malignancies, mechanisms of drug resistance, and the functional enhancement of hematopoietic stem cells.
• Oncology research investigates tumor signaling pathways, tumor–immune interactions, and mechanisms of resistance, exploring new strategies that overcome the limitations of current treatments.
Through these efforts, SNUH continuously redefines the scientific foundation of cancer therapy. It is not a hospital that waits for the future of medicine. We creates it.
Patients at SNUH gain access to the newest drugs and therapeutic innovations faster than anywhere else in the world, becoming partners in advancing the science of medicine, not merely recipients of care.
Walking Together with Our Patients
For decades, we have shared moments of struggle and recovery with our patients. These experiences have shaped more than medical expertise. They have built a living history of compassion, respect, and dedication to human life.
Looking ahead, we will continue to deliver world-class care, pioneering research, and education of excellence— establishing not only Korea’s standard of cancer treatment but also a new global benchmark in medicine.