The hospital’s Breast Cancer Center, led by Professors Hyung Seok Park, Jiye Kim, and Ji Hyun Ahn, pioneered robotic breast cancer surgery in Asia in 2016. After reaching 500 cases in July 2023, the team doubled that number in just two years, hitting the 1,000-case mark by September 2025.
Breast cancer, one of the most common cancers among women, typically requires a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Traditional open surgery involves direct incisions on the breast, often leaving visible scars. In contrast, robotic surgery, performed using systems like the da Vinci SP (Single Port), requires only small 2- to 6-centimeter incisions in the armpit or flank. This approach allows surgeons to remove cancerous tissue with precision, minimizing scarring on the breast and reducing the risk of skin damage. Patients report higher satisfaction due to improved cosmetic outcomes.
The technique has also proven effective for prophylactic mastectomies in patients with BRCA gene mutations, offering a safe option for those at high risk of breast cancer.
Yonsei Cancer Center has further advanced the field by being the first to employ the da Vinci SP robotic system for breast surgery, enhancing precision and patient outcomes. The hospital’s multidisciplinary approach, integrating breast surgery with plastic surgery, facilitates breast reconstruction using implants, helping patients regain confidence and improve their quality of life post-surgery.
The hospital’s robotic surgery expertise has garnered international attention, with leading institutions like Harvard Medical School and the Mayo Clinic taking note of Yonsei’s techniques. The program continues to serve as a model for global advancements in robotic-assisted breast cancer treatment.
Lim Hye Jung, HEALTH IN NEWS TEAM
press@hinews.co.kr
