Pioneering Cancer Treatment: Dr. Kwang-yoon Jung's Legacy and New Horizons

Dr. Jung Kwang-yoon, the director of ThanQ Seoul Clinic, worked as a professor and otolaryngologist at Korea University Medical Center (Korea University Anam Hospital) until February of this year, making significant contributions to the treatment and surgery of domestic ENT diseases, particularly thyroid cancer and head and neck cancer. Renowned as an authority on head and neck cancer, he recently concluded 34 years of service at Korea University Medical Center and retired. We met with Dr. Jung Kwang-yoon, who is now embarking on a new journey at ThankQ Seoul Clinic.

- After 34 years of working at a university hospital, I am now at a new starting point. Do you have any personal thoughts or aspirations?

Many people were responsible for different tasks at the university hospital, but now, I have to handle everything by myself, including tests, consultations, and surgeries. This does bring some concern. However, from the patient's perspective, unlike at the university hospital, where they had to go to different departments, having one doctor manage the entire treatment process may give them more excellent mental stability. I will do my best at ThanQ Seoul Clinic, where I can continue to treat thyroid and head and neck cancers, which I have spent my life researching, and help many more patients.

- What specialties have you focused on in your practice so far?

In otolaryngology, I specialized in treating head and neck cancers, particularly tonsil, oral, salivary gland, and neck lymph node cancers. I also performed surgeries on various types of thyroid cancer and parathyroid tumors. Notably, I primarily treated patients with thyroid cancer that had spread to surrounding tissues, such as the trachea, lymph nodes, and esophagus, making surgery more challenging.

- What has been your most rewarding moment while balancing research, practice, and education?

There are very few specialists in head and neck cancer, even within the field of otolaryngology. The neck, particularly the head and neck, is one of the most challenging areas in otolaryngology, often referred to as a "3D specialty." However, occasionally, some rare individuals confidently choose to pursue this field. When I see these students, who were once my pupils, growing into colleagues who share the challenging work of treatment, I feel incredibly proud, thinking, "I must have taught them well."

- You are also famous for the high number of surgeries you have performed. When asked about the number of surgeries you have performed so far and the most challenging surgery, what would you highlight?

I have performed approximately 8,300 surgeries in the past 10 years. Considering my total years of service, the number of surgeries would likely be around 15,000.

Once a certain level of surgical skill is reached, it becomes relatively similar. After that, it becomes a matter of time and judgment. How quickly a complex surgery can be performed becomes essential. Moreover, determining whether the cancer can be removed entirely is more crucial.

In the case of thyroid cancer, surgery used to be the primary treatment, but now we know that surgery can sometimes have a negative impact on the patient. Therefore, the approach has shifted to trying other methods first, then performing surgery only when it is possible to remove the cancer. The ability to make this decision is crucial. In other words, finding the most suitable method for the patient is more complex than the surgery itself.

- Who is the patient who left the most profound impression during your time working at the hospital?

It is the patients who passed away that remain in my memory more than those with good outcomes.

Still, the patient who particularly stands out in my memory is a 9-year-old child brought in by a young couple over 20 years ago. Despite their young age, the child had thyroid cancer that had metastasized to the lymph nodes, lungs, and other areas, making it a critical condition. Amidst the worries of the entire family, the child successfully completed various treatments, including radiation therapy, iodine treatment, and surgery. Last year, I received the news that the child had gotten married, and I felt incredibly proud.

Another memorable case was a 70-year-old pastor who came to the hospital with vocal cord paralysis. After testing, it was found that his thyroid cancer had progressed severely, and about half of his trachea had metastasized. In this case, the metastasized part needed to be removed and reattached. However, if the area were more significant than 5 cm, it would be difficult to stretch. So, I approached the situation with a new technique, cutting the area and rotating it, and fortunately, it was successfully resolved.

- What was your most outstanding achievement during your time at Korea University Hospital?

My most outstanding achievement during my time at Korea University Anam Hospital was establishing the Thyroid Center. Most hospitals have separate thyroid centers within departments such as otolaryngology, endocrinology, and others without collaborating. However, the Thyroid Center at Korea University Anam Hospital integrated six departments—otolaryngology, internal medicine, surgery, nuclear medicine, radiology, and pathology—into a multidisciplinary system that collaborates to provide comprehensive care.

Finding a thyroid center with such a multidisciplinary system is rare, even in university hospitals. Establishing the Thyroid Center in 2013 and serving as its director for over 10 years, I take great pride in its well-operation. I believe that ThankQ Seoul Clinic, where specialists from various departments work together to treat a single condition, will also benefit from this advantage.

- If there is a goal you would like to achieve at ThanQ Seoul Clinic, what would it be?

The most common question I've heard when discussing treatment with patients or their families is, "What would you do if this were your family?" Of course, I answered that I would do the same for my family, but I felt the patient's concerns deeply through this question. However, in the system of a university hospital, it's not just about the primary doctor doing everything well; many healthcare professionals are involved with a single patient, creating many challenges.

On the other hand, I felt that ThanQ Seoul Clinic has an excellent system for treating patients, allowing me to care for them just like family. Patients undergoing surgery experience not only physical but also psychological burdens. My greatest wish is to offer treatment where I can embrace those worries and burdens with empathy, speak to them sincerely, and provide comfort.