When Korea May Not Be the Right Option

Korea may offer important treatment options for selected international cancer patients, including proton therapy and carbon-ion therapy.

However, treatment in Korea is not appropriate for every patient.

In some cases, local care may be safer, faster, or more practical.

Korea may not be the right option when:

• The patient is medically unfit to travel
• The disease is progressing too rapidly for international transfer
• Urgent inpatient care is required
• The expected benefit of treatment is very limited
• Required medical records or imaging are not available
• The patient cannot safely interrupt current treatment
• The patient needs close follow-up that is only feasible locally
• The receiving hospital does not consider the case eligible for treatment

This does not mean that no further care is possible. It means that overseas treatment may not be the safest or most useful pathway at that time.

For some patients, the most appropriate next step may be local oncology care, symptom control, palliative care, or further discussion with the current treating physician.

International review can help clarify whether Korea may be a reasonable option. It can also help identify when Korea is not appropriate.

APIS may assist with preliminary communication for selected international case review requests.

* Final treatment decisions are determined solely by the treating hospitals and physicians.